Listening for Patterns
A few months ago, it finally dawned on me. I used my English major so often it had become me (or I had become it).
As I thought about what I do for work, I thought...I am analyzing a work of literature in the process of being written all.day.long.
My job is sense-making of characters, symbols, patterns, and themes.
So, to become a better listener, a truly great one, I guess what I'm saying is it's a good idea to read.
But, read like an English major.
This helpful study aid from Lewis College provides guidance on how to 'read like an English major'. https://lewisu.edu/writingcenter/pdf/final-writing-a-literary-analysis3212019.pdf
At a high level:
- Identify the author's purpose
- Analyze key elements
- Connect Ideas
And, that, my friends, is fantastic guidance for how to be a truly great listener. (And/or build a career in organizational development).
