Tips to Be a Better Listener

How Tos

By: Katie     03-Jun-2011

Introduction:

Being a good listener not only shows you care about another person, it is also one of the most important communication skills you can develop. Here are the top five tips to be a better listener.

Stay In the Moment

You can think seven times faster than a person can speak. Often times your mind will start to wonder and you will be forming a response in your head before the speaker has even finished. Stay in the present and focus on what the speaker is saying.

Restate and Paraphrase

Show that you are listening and understanding the speaker by periodically rephrasing what he or she said. For instance, you could say, "Let me make sure I got this correct" then restate. Or "So what your saying is" then restate.

Ask For Permission Before Giving Advice

Sometimes people want your opinion and other times they just want to vent and may become resentful if you try to step in and solve all of their problems. So, ask permission before giving your 2 cents. For instance, ask "Can I offer a suggestion?" Or "Would you like my advice?"

Stop Talking

This might be obvious, but you can't be a better listener is you are constantly talking. These two statements sum this up best:

"Take the cotton out of your ears and put it in your mouth."

"There is a reason you have to ears and one mouth. Use them accordingly."

Nonverbal Cues

As the listener, pay attention to not only what the speaker is saying out loud but, also what their body language is saying. In addition, you can give nonverbal signs that show you are listening such as eye contact, smiles, nods, frowning, shrugging your shoulders, or raising your eyebrows.




Final Thoughts

A person's favorite subject is themselves. If you actively listen to them you will quickly develop more friendships.

Do you have any suggestion on how to be a better listener?


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Comments

  • pamperedpen 6/3/2011

    Flag This Comment

    I love your "final thoughts". It's so true that most people love to talk about themselves. H5

  • litetender 6/3/2011

    Flag This Comment

    A nice list, Katie. I am always amused by how the good listener gets the credit for being a great "conversationalist," lol .... H5!


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