Part 5 of a 7 part series

What is the skill of Noticing?
Noticing is the skill of actively and consciously taking in non-verbal information from our five physical senses and our intuition, memories and beliefs. It is an internal, non-observable, skill. Listening (see Part 4 of this series) is a common way of noticing auditory cues. Noticing goes far beyond listening, allowing us to collect a broader range of information such as internal reactions, including self-talk and physical sensations.

Like listening, noticing is simply taking in information; it is not evaluating or judging the information. As with listening, noticing can be learned. It takes practice and commitment.

What's important about mastering the skill of Noticing?
Noticing allows a manager to gather additional information, without evaluating or judging the information, in order to make the most informed decisions possible.

Benefits of Noticing
Noticing provides information beyond words and actions which helps us make more informed choices and build stronger rapport with colleagues and clients.

Examples of things to notice "Temperature" of the office
Tone of voice
Patterns of behavior
Slight changes in others' behavior or tone

How to Notice
Step 1- Activate your "noticer" by becoming aware of the things happening in front of you. We are constantly noticing different signals, many of which we disregard. Pay attention to what you are aware of.

Step 2- Focus your attention on these signals. We receive signals primarily through four channels:

• Visual: what you see
  
• Auditory: what you hear, including word choices, tone, tempo, and emotion. For more information on listening, see Part 4 of this series
  
• Kinesthetic: what is happening, such as tapping feet, playing with pens, slouching posture
  
• Proprioceptive: what you feel internally, either physically or emotionally

Step 3- Notice your reaction to these signals:

• What is your proprioceptive response? For example, do you feel as if you've been punched in the stomach? Do you feel like laughing?
  
• Distinguish between what is actually happening (foot tapping) versus your interpretation (Jane must be impatient with me).
  
• Not every signal is significant. Without judging, notice what's useful or not useful about each signal.

You are responsible for your role in a conversation. By choosing to notice, you gather more information than by simply listening. When you choose to say "yes" to noticing, you also say "no" to judging, either what you notice or your reaction to what you notice.

Complete this sentence:
Today I choose __________________.

Example:
Today I choose to simply notice what happens in the meeting rather than make something happen.

What action do you need to take?

• What will you do right now to support your decision?
  
• What will you do today to support your decision?
  
• What will you do by the end of the week to support your decision?
  
  Examples:
  
  • I will simply notice what happens in the meeting rather than make something happen.
  • In this next meeting, I will notice changes in other people's tone.
    
  • In this next meeting, I will notice the impact that my words have on others.

• When you have effectively mastered the skill of noticing, you will be constantly scanning for useful information. It will become second nature.

Do resist the urge to evaluate the information

• As you notice something, ask yourself, what does this new information tell me?

Do notice what you are noticing

• Do you only notice the things that are important to you?
  
• What are you missing?
  
• What do you notice about the things that are unimportant or uncomfortable for you?