Each month at Baymonte Christian School we highlight a positive character trait with a corresponding Bible verse. October’s character trait is Thoroughness which means great care and attention to detail.
“A wise man will hear and increase in learning.”
Proverbs 1:5
One way to be thorough is to be a good listener. Rick Warren, a pastor, author and founder of Saddleback Church gives tips to becoming a good listener in his article below.
Tips to becoming a good listener by Rick Warren
Listening is a skill. It’s developed through practice, desire, attention, and by simply wanting to become a good listener. Here are four tips to becoming a better listener.
- Withhold judgment and criticism from the start.
Don’t evaluate until you’ve heard and comprehended it all. You need to hear the person out.
- Keep calm.
Don’t become defensive. Proverbs 19:11 (NIV) says, “A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.” If you’re patient, you’re wise. You need to keep calm.
- Be an active listener.
You become a good listener by asking creative questions. Proverbs 20:5 says, “The purposes of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.” This verse says the real meaning of people is down inside of them. A man of understanding will be able to draw others out with questions. How do you do that? Ask clarifying questions, such as: Who? What? When? How? Questions like that will draw out those you are listening to and let them know you have their attention.
- Paraphrase and summarize.
To be a good listener you must be able to tell a person what they’ve just told you before you talk about what you need to talk about. Before you share your side of the story, you need to let the other person know you understand where he or she is coming from. Paraphrase what they’ve said back to them.
Try one of these tips this week and enjoy the benefits of being thorough!