THIS WEEK’S MEETING
WEEK BEGINNING: March 14, 2016
PRESIDING TODAY IS: BRIAN MOORE, Past President
Ding! We’re now in session.
Welcome all – Visitors, fellow Rotarians and guests alike to the E-Club meeting for the week of March 14, 2016!
Remember the smiling pot. Donations to our E-Club help support our service projects.
We’d like to respectfully remind all visitors that if they would like to contribute the normal cost of a meal for your makeup, we would be grateful. These funds go directly to our many and varied service projects around the world. You can make a contribution in the Donation box on the homepage. Or you can write a check to: Rotary E-Club of District 7530 and mail it to Treasurer MSRE, 115 Hoffman Avenue, Morgantown, WV 26505.
Four-Way Test
At the beginning of each meeting we remind ourselves of the The Four-Way Test. Therefore, please remember to ask yourself always . . .
Of the things we think, say or do:
- Is it the TRUTH?
- Is it FAIR to all concerned?
- Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
- Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
A Reflective Moment
“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand, they listen with the intent to reply.” -- Stephen R. Covey
When I die, I want to go peacefully like my grandfather did- in his sleep. Not yelling and screaming like the passengers in his car.
-- Bob Monkhouse
This week’s Program: The Power of Listening
When we think of leaders, we often think of charismatic people who are at the center of attention and speaking their minds. Perhaps the most important characteristic of a good leader, however, is being a good listener. Listening enables the leader to show that he cares, that he understands you, and that he is intelligent enough to gather all the facts before making a decision. Being a good listener is also key to building positive relationships, both personal and professional. So, make the decision right now to work, even just a little, on your listening skills this week.
You are probably familiar with passive listening. This is where we patiently (or perhaps impatiently) wait for the other person to stop talking so that we can talk. We may even interrupt the other person so that we can tell them our important perspectives or stories. For example, have you ever cut off your friend with “I know exactly what you are going through. Just last month, listen to what happened to me . . .”? You have probably done this without even considering the message this sends to the other person – what you have to say is more important than what they have to say.
Instead of passive listening, work on your active listening. Show genuine interest, ask follow-up questions, and don’t get in a hurry. Once you have mastered active listening, you can move on to the crown jewel of listening: empathetic listening. Make it your goal to truly understand what the other person is trying to communicate to you. Then, you can respond and offer feedback.
You can practice your listening skills with anyone anytime. Try it out with your spouse, your friends, or your co-workers. Instead of being in a hurry to tell them about your life or to interrupt them with your valuable insight, advice, or anecdotes, really and truly listen to them. Start working on your listening skills a little each day and you will become a better leader and a more likeable person in no time. You may also even find life becoming more interesting and enjoyable. After all, you already know everything there is to know about yourself!
Watch this short video for some great active listening tips!
Thank you for participating in this week's meeting!