Here at the Academy we are grateful to have formed lasting relationships with some vendors who many of our Members use in conjunction with Academy Membership. Linda Winlock and her team at Personnel Profiling, Inc. are just such an organization the Academy has partnered with for over ten years.

We are very excited to introduce Linda Winlock as the latest edition to our list of impressive guest bloggers. Linda will be contributing to the Academy blog on a monthly basis moving forward. We thank Linda for taking the time to give our blog community a peek behind the curtain at the services she provides to so many of our Academy Members.

We are pleased today to bring you Linda’s first Academy blog, and look forward to reading more of what she has to share!

The Difference Between Listening and Hearing…

When my son was three years old I carefully prepared him for the birth of his sister. I meticulously explained that because she would not yet be able to take care of herself we would all need to help her. I outlined the specifics―bringing diapers to me, being patient while I nursed her (he asked if she would get chocolate milk), entertaining her occasionally, etc. Wanting to avoid any sibling jealousy, I read many parenting books and felt confident I had done a good job of preparing him for the upcoming change to our family.

When we came home from the hospital on New Year’s Day, I provided celebratory hats to make the occasion as festive as possible. To my surprise my astute son ran down the hallway into his room and closed the door. He said he did not want his sister to get his toys. Apparently my well intentioned efforts did not guarantee effective communication.

Communication is an ongoing process which requires a system of checks and balances to understand what is really being absorbed and understood. I wonder what would have happened if I had asked him what he thought it would be like with a new baby in the house before I started imparting information. In this rapidly changing world, effective communication requires an ongoing effort of observing feelings and thoughts. Since words and experiences hold different meanings for each of us, effective communication often requires repeated attempts and methods―written, verbal, physical, etc.

Listening is critical to effective communication. Managers who receive active listening training and commit to practice it often see dramatic changes in the respect they receive and in their ability to have their communication received.

Linda Winlock is the owner and President of Personnel Profiling Inc (PersonnelProfiling.com). Established in 1987, Personnel Profiling Inc. provides organizational development, employment assessments and human resource services to companies throughout the nation. Linda has over 25 years of experience working with all types of industries and companies of varying sizes including Trane Heating and Air, Atria Senior Living, Hillerich & Bradsby Co., and many others. Her experience includes many years of Executive Coaching, Interviewing, Team Building and Training. Linda’s formal education includes a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Louisville with a concentration in counseling psychology. Linda and members of her team will be ongoing contributors to the Academy Blog.

Susan Russel
Director of Member Services
American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.
9444 Balboa Avenue, Suite 300
San Diego, California 92123
Phone: (800) 846-1555
www.aaepa.com