Kate Murphy says that one of her most valuable lessons as a journalist is that everybody is interesting if you ask the right questions. Are there interview skills that you employ that could be applied to listening to peers/colleagues?
Yes, several interview skills can be applied to effectively listening to peers and colleagues. Here are a few:
1. Active listening: Just like in an interview, actively listen to your peers and colleagues by paying full attention to what they are saying. Maintain eye contact, nod, and provide verbal and non-verbal cues to show that you are engaged.
2. Open-ended questions: Instead of asking closed-ended questions that can be answered with a simple yes or no, ask open-ended questions to encourage your peers and colleagues to share more information and elaborate on their thoughts and experiences. This helps in getting to know them better and understanding their perspectives.
3. Follow-up questions: Similar to interviews, follow-up questions can help you dive deeper into a topic or clarify any ambiguities. By asking relevant follow-up questions, you demonstrate genuine curiosity and allow for a more meaningful conversation.
4. Avoid interruptions and assumptions: When listening to others, it's important to let them speak without interruptions and to avoid making assumptions about what they are going to say. Give them the opportunity to express themselves fully and openly before making any judgments or assumptions.
5. Empathy and understanding: Just as a journalist tries to empathize with their interviewees, practicing empathy and understanding when listening to your peers and colleagues can foster better relationships. Try to see things from their perspective, acknowledge their feelings, and validate their experiences.
6. Take notes: Taking notes during conversations can help you remember important details, show that you value what your peers or colleagues are saying, and enable you to refer back to the information or ideas discussed later.
By integrating these interview skills into your interactions with peers and colleagues, you can enhance your listening skills and deepen your understanding of others, which in turn can improve your communication and working relationships.