Read this article to obtain 7 amazing and powerful tips for effective listening. Effective listening is a crucial part of life. It is half of the communication process alone.
One needs to be able to communicate in life, work, relationships, etc. And if effective listening is half of that, we need to know how to do it.
Strong communication skills maintain long-term relationships, partnerships, and other aspects of your life.
Most of us forget that listening is half of the communication technique.
Watch this video to find out more about effective listening. 
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Table of Contents
Why are listening skills important?
Many of us just listen long enough to form our own responses. It is then when we stop listening.
Why do we do that?
Because we listened long enough to form our own opinion.
One of our greatest senses of gratification is the feeling of being understood by another person. And we don’t feel understood by that person unless we feel they are listening to us.
When we know they are attentively listening, we are more prone to open up to them. Also, when you combine listening with empathy, the bond becomes stronger.
Did you know being an effective listener also benefits the listener too?
When we take the time to effectively listen, we gain a greater understanding of what is being said. The other advantage is we learn more and open up our perspective to other things.
It’s so easy to get trapped inside our own worlds. But when you listen to others, you learn from each other.
What makes a good listener?
Typically when listening, many of us:
- partially listen
- have other chatter going on in hour heads
- we are distracted by another topic
- or we listen enough to form our own opinions
Good listeners:
- Are emotionally intelligent (they are aware of their own feelings and the feelings of others, so they listen with an open mind)
- They ask follow up questions to gain a deeper understanding
- They can allow silence while the speaker collects their thoughts
- They do not get defensive
What is effectively listening?
You are effectively listening when you actively understand the information being provided to you by the speaker.
When you show a genuine interest in the topic being presented, you are effectively listening.
Sometimes listening may entail providing feedback. If you can provide the same or ask follow-up questions to be able to provide the same, you are being an effective listener.
Benefits to Effective Listening
- Listening builds trust
- Productivity increases because there is an understanding
- Longer and better relationships are created
- We become better problem solvers because we have listened
Here are 7 tips for effective listening:
1. Be Attentive
The most important characteristic to have when listening is to be attentive. Be present and showing up.
Be sure to block out any distractions you may have.
2. Maintain eye contact
When someone is speaking, face that person. This will indirectly take away any distractions and make you more attentive.
Be sure to make eye contact with the speaker so they know you are interested or at least listening to them.
Don’t look at your phone, or doodle on your notepad. Pay attention.
3. Listen & Paint a Visual Picture
While you are listening, you might try to draw a mental picture. This helps visual learners maintain information and there is more clarity.
4. Do not interrupt
I am super bad about this. So I take the advice from my therapist. Before listening, I ask “Do you want to me listen to just listen, or do you want me to listen in order to give a response?” Then I get into the right mindset as to how I will be listening. This works well with teens if you have them.
Think about the last argument you were in. Did you get frustrated when someone interrupted you? The same concept holds true here too. Do not interrupt.
Sometimes when we interrupt we may give the impression that we are not interested or care about what the other person is saying.
It could also convey that what you are saying is more important than what the speaker is saying.
5. Ask questions to understand or clarify
When the speaker is done and allows you to talk, make sure you choose your words accordingly. Ask questions that will help you better understand what the other person is thinking.
Do not ask a question in the middle of their story or thought because it can totally direct the conversation in another direction.
6. Keep an open mind
Don’t judge. Give the speaker a chance to share what they want to communicate.
If they say something that gives you concern or disagreement, keep it to yourself at the moment and wait for the appropriate time to ask any follow-up questions. They may answer your concern if you keep listening and listen with an open mind.
7. Listen with empathy
Empathy: Putting yourself in the shoes of others and trying to see the situation from their point of view.
Do your best to get into the mindset of the person speaking.
Keep in mind, this is not an easy task and it will take practice.
When listening, if they are feeling sad and then you feel sad, then you have done a good job listening. This applies to any feeling the speaker may be feeling: happy, angry, anxious, upset, etc…
Final Thought
Remember, listening is half of the communication process. It takes both work and practice to master.
But, when you learn to master effective listening techniques, listening to others becomes more clear and your interactions are more positive.
Using these 7 tips will greatly improve your communication and relationships with others.
Take care and Think Me First 💙💚!
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