Communication is a vital component in all aspects of life. The best communicators find it easier to thrive in the family, relationships, career, and business world.
In an era of speaking, audio, video, and content creation, listening has become one of the most critical communication skills.
Listening effectively:
- reduces misunderstanding
- increases productivity
- enhances empathy
- improves relationships
- builds trust
- improves feedback
The following tips will improve your listening skills for effective communication.
Prepare for the conversation
As a good listener, you have to physically and mentally prepare for the conversation or discussion. If you are speaking with someone on phone, you can move away from a noisy environment or make use of an ear piece or headset.
If you are in a room, remove or shift possible distractions like your phones, laptop, or other items.
This is encouraging to the speaker as it shows that you are ready for the conversation.
Mentally, try to ignore or discard any preconceived notions you might have about the speaker or topic.
Pay attention
Your full attention and focus should be on the person speaking. This prevents you from missing both verbal and non-verbal information. You have to be present physically and mentally.
This also ensures that you are able to ask the right questions or provide proper feedback. You can take notes if needed or ask follow-up questions to ensure you are on the right track.
As much as possible, also try to maintain eye contact with the speaker as this will convince him or her that you are fully engaged in the discussion. Eye contact also stops you from getting distracted by your phone or other people.
Try not to interrupt
When listening, endeavor to avoid any movement or actions that would distract the speaker or indicate that you have lost interest in the conversation.
You shouldn’t be pressing your phone or other device unless you need to check something that is key to the discussion.
You might have a contrary view to something the person. However, as much as possible, try to allow him or her finish or give you opportunity to speak.
Be open-minded
Many listeners tend to form opinions without allowing the speaker to finish. Even if you think the speaker is wrong, it is important you listen without preconceptions.
Jumping to conclusions while someone is speaking might make you stop listening or prevent you from picking other communication cues like body language from the speaker.
Be engaged in the conversation
It is not enough to just pay attention when someone is speaking. You need to show interest by actively interacting with the speaker. Good listening is not supposed to be one-way traffic: he or she speaks, while you listening.
Good listening entails you asking questions to get clarification or indicating with a nod or other non-verbal signal that you are on the same page with the speaker.
You can also make suggestions during the conversation as long as your input doesn’t discourage the speaker from speaking.
Leave a Reply