How do you learn the Art of Listening?

If there’s a chance for a person to change an aspect in his life, he really would. However, it is not doable with a snap of a finger, since it requires an incredible amount of effort, time and commitment to make it possible. Changing a part of your life will definitely impact you months or years from now. So why not start today?

People want to change, but the big question is always “how”. In my perspective, you only have to change three things and everything; even your confidence will follow.


1)     Learn the art of listening

The art of conversation is always two-way: where two people take part in talking, and the other on listening. Learning to listen requires a lot of patience, and a person should always have a mindset that he doesn’t need to have a reply all the time. The best listener are also happens to be great advisers, and have the capacity to strengthen and provide constructive criticisms to another person. However, listening is not only about simply talking, it also comes from reading, watching public speeches, as well as interacting with like-minded people. Open-mindedness is where a great listener can start. If you are keen in hunting new knowledge, then it’s time to start opening your mind and learn to keep your mouths closed for a time being. Learning to listen also reaps great benefits! Not only you would be able to learn great things, you would also be able to practice your humility, patience and mindfulness.

2)     Words should go from one ear to the heart, not the other ear

A person cannot be considered a good listener if he isn’t taking every words spoken to his heart. Knowledge becomes valuable only if taken into thoughts and even actions. A few years ago, I read one book which I have I knew I just read but never remember and it was nothing, like words and time just passed by and it didn’t do anything to change my life. Coincidentally, after a few years of stumbling on the same book, I started to take what I read mindfully, and my life changed drastically. Everything just happened, and now, I’m different than the impatient, immature person I was before.

3)     Follow the best kind of people

Listening to others, reading great books or attending informative seminars does great deal for our knowledge bank. It might be the politically correct ones, so we will know what is the right thing to do; it may be the wrong, so we would know what to avoid ourselves of becoming; as well as to understand what we need or not. The question is, who to follow. Follow the best people, read the most inspiring authors, create a habit of listening to people who talk sensible things where your interests meet. Old habits do really die hard, but the habit of listening is one of the best habits to learn.


Start these steps with baby steps until they become a great leap. It will teach you to realize dreams and take courage to initiate, to be more mindful and gain an immeasurable amount of patience. At first, listening is a bothersome task, as most people are always ready for a reply. However, by trying to differ yourself by listening to them, who knows, you might change their lives too.

- Original Post

Najeeb Abdul Rahman

5 Small Steps to Be a Core in your Organization: A Personal Perspective

Photo credit: Shutterstock

We all have this: a dream of becoming a core member of the organization we work in. However, we still believe in the myth that all the overtime work works wonders. After several years of observation and being in it, I have learned a lot about the corporate world, from the politics to the great things about it. In my opinion, allotting extra effort and time is a plus, of course, but not necessary. Here are 5 simple ways how you can climb that career ladder in a nutshell:

1. Put Organizational Goal First

Every organization becomes a mess when its employees are putting their personal agenda over the company’s goal. Each employee has his/her own roles, but the company has only one common goal and vision. An organization is a subtle but jealous girlfriend. It won’t be saying anything at first, but once it gives its ultimatum, it will definitely make or break you. As an employee, genuinely giving importance, understanding and respect to the organizational goal is already an advantage and in fact, it is giving you leverage.

2. Be little early - Always 

Always be on time – this has always been a simple command that is taught in schools when we were young and that is something that isn’t needed to be explained by rocket science, here good to you to be a little early because on time is already late. Higher management hates people who procrastinate and who are always late in going to the office. As these people also did their best to adjust to the habit of managing their time effectively, it’s also time for you to do the same – not later, not tomorrow, but now. So without putting extra effort, just put a little adjustment and finish your priorities on time.

3. Stick to Strong Work Ethics

A work ethic is a set of moral principles that a person uses in his/her job. Your career doesn’t only require you to wake up at 6 in the morning, get coffee, be in the office at 9 am, *just* finish routines and go home at 6pm. Most people in the higher position thrive in integrity, discipline, a sense of responsibility and teamwork, and definitely putting an emphasis on quality work. Remember, these people do not settle for mediocrity that’s why they are where they are now. An employee who displays a strong work ethic usually gets noticed and gets the trust of the higher management.

4. Let that Passion Burn

According to Simon Sink, the author of Start with Why, “Working hard for something we don't care about is called stress; working hard for something we love is called passion.”  Usually, people measure their passion towards their job through their job titles and salary range. However it should not be the case. Once you point your perspective the other way around, definitely everything will follow.

5. Attitude > Talent

Attitude always beats talent. David has beaten Goliath. An employee who may have a skill of a god but the attitude of a trash is not needed in an organization. This is also the reason why recently, hiring managers started conducting EQ and AQ tests, which would determine if the candidate would fit in the work environment of a company.  I’ve always thought that ultimate optimism will surely bring a person a long way and the good news is, attitude is not a trait inherited through the genes. Attitude can always be learned through intensive trainings and improvement in perspectives. Always do self-assessments and practice mindfulness. Always have that Yes Attitude and be open-minded. Soon enough, your managers will take notice and who knows, you might end up training your colleagues in the future!

Being a core in an organization also come with big responsibilities. So once you reach your goal, you will also face the responsibility of keeping yourself up and delivering that quality output. Always keep your enthusiasm up and once you keep these five ways as habits, your career will eventually be on its peak in no time!

Agree or disagree? Share your opinion on the comments section now!

Najeeb Abdul RahmanEntrepreneur, Innovator, Capital Venturer

-Original Article

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