Richard Ghilarducci on Time Management and Effective Listening
Everyone, at some point or another, feels like there are nowhere near enough hours in the day for you to do everything you need and want to do. While we all get the same 24 hours, certain people seem to get more things done than others. Why is this the case? Three words – good time management.
Time management is how people plan and organize how to divide time between different activities, says Richard Ghilarducci, and people do this in a certain time frame. To get it right, you have to be working smarter, not harder. If you’re successful, you’ll get more done in less time. You can do this even when time is tight, and the pressure is high.
It’s also no surprise that the best leaders are the best at time management.
In a busy workplace, it can be challenging to balance tasks, meetings, presentations, and everything in between. Richard Ghilarducci, however, says that it all can be achieved.
There are two sure-fire time management habits people can cultivate to boost their productivity when they’re working.
The first is to complete one task at a time. Instead of wasting energy doing various things at once, it might benefit a person to set aside time to focus on one task. Some leaders even recommend setting timers that will train the mind to accomplish a specific task for a limited time.
The second habit is to know when they are most productive. Industry leaders who accomplish a lot during the workday are most likely aware of their peak hours or the time of day when they are most efficient. Those with flexible schedules can choose to go to the office during these hours so that they can focus and finish their tasks promptly, adds Richard Ghilarducci.
Effecting and Active Listening
Good listeners have been observed to improve their overall productivity. They also can influence, persuade, negotiate, and communicate as a whole. In fact, Richard Ghilarducci believes that listening sincerely and actively is arguably the most important part of communication.
In communication, listening may very well be more important than talking, especially if the listening being done is active. Active listening is an ability that allows you to absorb what others say and listen with an open mind.
If you’re a good listener, chances are you’ll avoid conflict and misunderstandings because everything that’s being said is registering clearly in your brain. All of these are necessary for workplace and leadership success.
By developing good listening skills, people will be able to get more information out of their interactions. They will also likely gain a whole lot more trust from others.
The importance of active listening, Richard Ghilarducci says, cannot be emphasized enough. Ask yourself if you’ve ever had a conversation when you wondered if the person you were talking to was listening to what you were saying or was listening at all. If you have to wonder if your message is getting across, or if you have to think if it’s worth your time continuing to speak, then something might be wrong. If it feels like you’re talking to a brick wall, it’s something that you might want to look into. Let’s face it — this isn’t a good feeling at all.
Here are two ways anyone can become a better listener.
Block out all distractions as much as you can. According to Richard Ghirladucci, there’s nothing more annoying than having to talk to someone with their faces in front of their smartphones. If you’re having a conversation with someone, zone out background noise and even thoughts so your focus is on the one in front of you.
Move closer toward the person you’re talking to. Smile and laugh when appropriate, and nod your head if you agree to or understand what they are saying. When you hear new or interesting information, you can tilt your head, all while keeping eye contact.
During his career that spanned over three decades, Richard Ghilarducci held leadership roles, including as Chief Executive Officer. He was also a community leader and was elected Mayor for three terms. Read more about his leadership, communication, and management insights by following his blog page.