You hear something different from what your boss has said.

People often hear what they think should be said, not the words that are actually spoken. This comes from the tendency of people to think faster than they talk. A listener makes assumptions about what they expect because their minds race ahead. This can be especially problematic when you misinterpret what your boss said. 

Problem

You hear something different from what your boss has said.

How this affects you

You find yourself in hot water when you thought you were doing the right thing.

Action to Take

Remove the filters from your brain. People have a knack for selectively hearing what they want to. When you do this it can change the meaning of what a manager has said because crucial information gets left out. How do you learn to listen more carefully? One good method is to repeat back what you think you heard. When the boss tells you something, don’t just say, “Okay.” Instead, repeat what you heard him tell you. This is called a briefback. Say, “So, you want me to . . .” If your brief back is not what the boss meant, the boss will let you know right then, and you won’t have wasted a lot of effort on the wrong thing. 

Why this works

The Why this Works section is only available in print copies of Whaddaya Mean I Gotta Be Lean?