One reason people don’t listen to you

Figuring out whether you’re speaking with an inductive or deductive thinker can make all the difference.  

We all have a preference for processing information, and if your delivery doesn’t match the person’s preferred intake method, you may be fighting a losing battle, says Ethan F. Becker, Ph.D., coauthor of Mastering Communication at Work: How to Lead, Manage, and Influence.

Inductive vs. Deductive Listening

You can discern how a person thinks by paying attention to how they present information. Do they usually cut to the chase? Or do they take you along their decision-making journey step by step? Then form your presentations or asks based on how their tendencies.

"People often assume management uses deductive thinking," says Becker. "That’s not always the case. The reality is that you need to listen carefully and be ready to pivot. That is the skill - like a soccer player who can kick the ball with their left or right foot."

Shifting In Real Time

The good news is that if you use the wrong form in the beginning, it doesn’t mean you blew it, says Becker. "If you see the other person is zoned out or their body looks annoyed, pause for a moment," he says. "You may be presenting your information with an inductive slant and your listener has deductive tendencies. Skip ahead. With practice it becomes easier."

Sometimes circumstances in the moment may impact the best way to deliver your information. For example, if you ask your manager if they’ve got a minute and they respond with an abrupt-sounding, "What do you want?" you can assume you need to be deductive with your information or come back later.

"Skilled communicators can navigate that live by having good listening eyes and ears," says Becker.

There’s no one right way to present information, and when you adapt your communication style to match what listeners need, you’re striving for accuracy not inauthenticity, says Becker.

"There’s so much room for misunderstanding today," he says. "Having tools and techniques can be useful. Your goal is to present your ideas in a way where the listener can best understand and comprehend so they don’t hear something out of context that sends them on the wrong tangent."

А source