Tip #288: 6 Tips To Improve Listening Skills

Effective Listening Is Not Only Challenging, But A Learned Skill.

By nature, people tend to focus more on what they are saying than on what they are hearing. For example, you probably put more effort into leaving a voicemail than you do listening to voicemail left for you. This is because listening is, for most people, a very natural, passive action. And since we are always hearing, the idea of consciously listening to another person may not seem necessary. However, there is a world of difference between "hearing" and "listening." The difference is that listening requires effort.

6 Proven Ways To Improve Your Listening Skills.

1. Give A Speaker Your Complete Attention - All too often, people let their thoughts drift when someone is speaking. They think about a current project they are working on or a task that they have been assigned. They even think about matters unrelated to work. The best way to combat this distraction is to actively concentrate while listening. We recommend taking notes when someone is speaking as it forces you to maintain focus on the speaker.

2. Avoid Snap Judgments/Interrupting - Another thing listeners are prone to is early evaluation - that is, making a snap judgment based on something the speaker said without hearing them out completely. Snap judgments lead to interruption, which is not only rude but a sure sign of an ineffective listener. Whether you agree or disagree with a speaker, hear them out to the end before responding.

3. Listen To HOW Something Is Being Said - There is more to listening than just absorbing the words being spoken. A speaker's posture, their tone, inflection and any other gestures or motion need to be assimilated as well. How something is being said is every bit as important as what is being said.

4. Send Nonverbal Cues That You Are Listening - Communication is a two-way street; the listener may not be talking, but they are still expected to communicate with whomever they are listening to. Mostly, a speaker wants reassurance that they are being heard. Match their eye contact, nod your head when appropriate and learn forward with a look of intent and interest. This will also help with your focus.

5. Use Paraphrasing To Improve Your Listening - Like taking notes, paraphrasing is another technique that will help sharpen and hone your listening skills. Effective paraphrasing is completely dependent on how well you listened. Paraphrasing can also be used to show someone that their message was delivered successfully and understood.

6. Ask Questions - Not every message is understood on the first attempt, however, and might require clarification. But that clarification is the listener's responsibility. If you do not understand everything a speaker says, it is imperative that you ask questions. Follow-up questions are the truest sign of an attentive, active listener. More importantly, you cannot perform your job 100% if you do not have a clear understanding of what is expected of you.
   
   Summary: Effective listening starts with a conscious effort on your end. It is important to recognize the difference between hearing someone and listening to someone. When listening, display signs of interest. Taking notes will help you focus on a speaker, and will also supply you with material to use when paraphrasing or asking follow-up questions. Remember, communication in the workplace is absolutely essential, but it does not occur naturally - it takes practice.