6 Ways to Improve Your Listening Skills
Posted in Communication Tuesday
“We were given two ears but only one mouth, because listening is twice as hard as talking.“
It sounds so simple, but how many times are you part of a conversation and not really listening? Your mind is on your next meeting, client, project, dinner or the kids. Maybe you’re busy thinking about the next thing you’re going to say when the speaker takes a breath.
The most difficult communication skill is listening. We’re generally anxious to be heard and less focussed on what others are saying. However, if we’re to be effective in the way we communicate with others, we have to focus at least as much attention to our listening skills.
When others talk, do more than hear the words:
- study their faces - watch for emotions
- move closer - make it easy to hear
- set the stage - remove distractions
- let your eyes wander - don’t stare
- calm down - focus on what is being said
- go the distance - be committed to the process
Moving beyond mere “eye contact” will dramatically improve your communication skills.
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Good points. Studies have shown we generally should look at a person’s eyes for 7 sec. and away for 7 sec.
Terry L. Sumerlin
The Barber-osopher
Motivational speaker/author