Are Architects’ Good Listeners?

 “Seek first to understand, then to be understood”.

Says Steven Covey, the author of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.

The most common complain of clients is that their architect doesn’t listen to them and tries to impose his/her ideas. Most of the architects ignore this most effective communication tool, i.e. the art of listening.

The most important communication skills are the means by which we receive messages from others. The most effective and least – used communication tools are the ears. You can learn a lot by listening.  Writes David Greusel, AIA

Listening is one of the most important skills you can have. How well you listen has a major impact on your job effectiveness and business goals.

Here are few guidelines e to be an effective listener:

DO's

1. Have a humble attitude with your clients and listen to them carefully.
2. You can derive a lot of information by simply listening. Obtain as much as you can.
3. Listen to understand and learn.
4. Express interest in what people are saying.
5. Allow People to speak freely. Good listening builds rapport and understanding with the speaker.
6. Be open to ideas of others and sensitive to their values.
7. Take note of the conversation.
8. Respect seniors, women and people with diverse  culture and religion.
9. If the client is from a different culture or speaks a different language, do not take him for granted. Take assistance of an interpreter and understand him/her thoroughly.
10. Observe body languages and nonverbal communications

DONT's

1. Don’t let your ego be an obstacle and interrupt the client while he is speaking.
2. Don’t evaluate and argue every statement of your client. 
3. Don’t close your mind during the conversation. With open mindedness, you will learn to see things from a different point of view.
4. Don’t get distracted in some other issues while the client is speaking. It’s an unprofessional behaviour.
5. Don’t make guesses and assumptions. Listen carefully.
6. Don’t insult or make fun of your client in any case.
7. Don’t trust your memory too much. Notes will help you to recall entire conversation.
8. Avoid offensive jokes or personal comments during presentation or throughout the relationship with your client.
9. Don’t hesitate to ask questions if you don’t understand the client’s point of view.
10. Don’t ignore non verbal behaviour, especially when you are dealing across cultural boundaries.
11. Have a humble attitude with your clients and listen to them carefully.

“Listening broadens us, lays the groundwork for peace, elevates the quality of our relationships, and opens the way to success. If nothing else, when you listen, you'll find you are the most popular person in the room.”- http://www.1000advices.com/guru/listening_quotations.html

Communicating is not difficult. But it’s an art that requires to be cultivated. So let's learn it and say  "Yes 2 Architectural Management"


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