Listening

by Clara Donaldson.
Share
|
Homepage | Submit your article | Contact | TOS
More articles on communication  

You are here: Categories » Self improvement » Communication

Why do people have two ears and one mouth? It's probably because we are meant to listen twice as much as we talk. Or is it because listening is so much more difficult than talking?

Listening shows that you care, that you have empathy and are prepared to be influenced. It also allows you to understand where the person you are communicating with is coming from. Here are the golden rules of listening:

  1. Give the other person your undivided attention. Don't do other work or take calls while you are listening.
  2. Talk less or don't talk at all. This will force the other person to speak.
  3. Find a quiet place to listen. Avoid places that are noisy or have other distractions.
  4. Listen to be influenced. Concentrate. Don't allow your mind to be absorbed with developing rebuttals.
  5. Let people finish their points. Only when they keep repeating the same point should you interrupt and indicate your understanding.
  6. Show that you are interested. Do this by nodding or periodically saying yes and leaning forward.
  7. Maintain eye contact without staring.
  8. Show positive body language. Lean forward. Look interested. Face the person who is talking to you. Smile occasionally.
  9. Ask for clarification if you are not sure you have clearly understood a message. Or summarize your understanding by saying, "So what I hear you saying is —. Is that right?"
  10. Ask open-ended questions. Such questions help get at what people feel rather than eliciting responses you want to hear.
  11. Be empathetic. Even if you disagree with another's views and sentiments, you are learning; try to see things from her perspective.
  12. Be patient. Some people take a little more time to articulate their thoughts. Wait until they have completed their points of view before responding.
  13. Watch for non-verbal reactions during the conversation. Most of what people think doesn't come out of their mouths. Observe their facial expressions, posture, gestures, and eye movements to evaluate what they are thinking.
  14. Keep pace with the speaker. Don't jump to conclusions or fill in the gaps.
  15. Allow people to finish their own sentences. Don't assume you know what they're going to say.
  16. Let others finish before you confirm your understanding. Train yourself to count slowly to five before interjecting or responding.
  17. Learn to let short, comfortable silences descend on a conversation. Silence encourages the other person to fill the void.
Share
Leave a comment or ask a question
Total comments: 0

Communication Disclaimer

  • The e-articles directory is not responsible for any and all copyright infringements by writers and authors. If you suspect the information contained by this page for any copyright infringements, please contact us to investigate the issue
Hiring: Conducting the Interview - As an empowered team member, you can expect to be involved in decisions about who to hire into the department. After all, who is better able to judge the technical skills of potential candida (more...)
What you can do to improve your meetings - When he observed yet another huddle at a football game, George Will, the columnist and broadcaster, quipped, "It combines the two worst things about American life: it is violence punctuated b (more...)
How to Keep Meetings Short - A meeting should go on for only as long as it takes to reach its objectives. Typically, this takes much longer than it should. Here's how you can shorten your meeting time dramatically: (more...)
Exit Interview - Many organizations conduct exit interviews with people who have resigned. This is an excellent way of gathering information about problems in the organization. People leaving the organization (more...)
Giving Feedback - The most challenging and important communication skill is the ability to let people know when you are unhappy with something they have done. Letting them know about your discontent in a way tha (more...)
How to Manage People Involved in Meetings - Achieving your meeting objectives will be easier if you manage the people involved. A variety of behaviours will be demonstrated in any meeting, but there are many ways to deal with each. (more...)
The Ten Deadly Sins of Communication - The most practical advice for leaders is not to treat pawns like pawns, nor princes like princes, but all persons like persons. Here is a list of things to avoid when dealin (more...)
Ways to network successfully - More contracts are granted, and more jobs won, based on contacts. You need to develop strong marketing skills that leave an indelible impression on the people with whom you come into contact. N (more...)
Ways to make your meeting meaningful - If you are going to take the time to attend a meeting, make it worth your while and show respect to your chairperson by taking an active part. Here are some ways to make your participation me (more...)
Receiving Feedback - Getting feedback is probably the greatest opportunity for you to grow, learn, and improve your relationships with others. Why? Because you are constantly being given feedback. It happens dail (more...)
 
free content
    Copyright © 2006 - 2012 e-articles.info.
The texts, articles and tutorials in the directory are property of their respective owners and authors.