Two Tip Tuesday
...helping you build a better business!
Little Known Ways to Be A Better Listener
Listening is one of the most important personal and business skills you possess. The bad news however is that not many of us are very good at it. The good news though is that with a little practice you can become an extremely effective listener AND learn a lot along the way!
By becoming a better listener, you’ll not only improve your productivity but more importantly, you’ll avoid misunderstandings – both are critical to your business success.
So how do you go about improving your listening skills?
You start by making a conscious effort to hear not only the words that another person is saying but to understand the total message being expressed. This is what’s called ‘active listening’ and it requires that you pay attention to the other person very carefully.
Paying Attention Pays Off
When you are the listener, you can’t allow yourself to become distracted by other people nearby or activities going on around you.
You need to make sure your mind is focused. It can be easy to let your mind wander if you think you know what the person is going to say next. The majority of time our assumptions are wrong, which means missed opportunities for gaining helpful information from the speaker or client.
Refrain from thinking ahead and forming comments or replies in your head that you want to make when the other person stops talking. Give the speaker your undivided attention and acknowledge what they are saying.
Hint: To keep your mind from wandering, repeat to yourself what is being said as a way to stay focused and also to absorb what’s being said to you. If you are listening while on the phone, refrain from multi-tasking (like returning emails!)---instead write down the name of the person speaking, the date, topic or purpose of call. As you listen, jot down pertinent points to help you stay focused on and active in the conversation.
It Takes More than Just Ears!
Listening is an art that when done well delivers tremendous benefits. Use your ears to hear the message and your eyes to read the speaker’s body language in order to show that you are paying attention. For instance:
- Maintain eye contact. Looking at the person as he or she speaks says that you care and helps build trust. Not maintaining eye contact or frequently glancing around the room shows indifference to the individual speaking.
- Use verbal acknowledgements such as ‘yes’ or ‘um-huh’ show that you are tracking the conversation
- Nod occasionally.
- Smile and use other facial expressions.
- Lean forward slightly.
- Be curious: ask questions to clarify specific points.
- Summarize the speaker’s comments periodically.
- Repeat the information you heard by saying, I hear you saying ... Is that correct?
- Make a habit of jotting down notes after the conversation in order to remember key points.
Remember that effective listening can open many doors. If you listen with your eyes, your ears and your mind, you will always get the information you need.
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