Be an Active Listener
July 12, 2009
I have to admit I have a bad tendency to talk too much and listen too little. Or worse yet, think about what I am going to say next while the other person is talking, so I don’t really hear what they are saying. Becoming an active listener is a great skill. There are things we can do to pay better attention to a speaker and to demonstrate that we are engaged in the conversation and receiving what is being said. Here are a couple of tips to improve your listening skills: • Look at the other person and really focus • Sit up and lean forward, get on the edge of your chair • Shut off distractions like radios or TV • Take notes • Ask follow up questions to the other persons remarks • If you have a problem hearing, avoid loud environments , or pull the person aside to a quieter corner • Show interest in the subject and see if you can learn something new or valuable • As a courtesy, don’t take phone calls during a conversation. Becoming a good listener takes practice, but anyone can do it.