Improve Your Communication Skills, Become A Better Listener

 Listening, often overlooked, is a vital aspect of the human communication process. While many practice and emphasize speaking, the art of listening is not an art in which we find people putting in a lot of effort. In fact, listening is easy and can be improved by following a few simple steps.

Being a good listener means that everything you hear comes directly from the speaker and not from your interpretation of their words. This means that as the speaker is speaking, you are listening for the words as they are being spoken rather than trying to guess the point the speaker is trying to make. People are often guilty of jumping to conclusions when they do so, and in doing so, they disrupt their ability to listen. When jumping to conclusions, a person often does not hear the speaker's message because it has been masked by his own assumptions. Good listeners absorb all the information during the pronunciation of words and avoid pre-thinking and forming their own conclusions.

Giving the speaker your full attention is probably one of the most important tips for good communication. Focus on the speaker's words and avoid tuning in to his message. When talking on the phone, many people engage in other activities such as reading newspapers, checking email, and other activities that can distract from the conversation. Many listeners exit during face-to-face situations either by thinking about their response to the speaker or by daydreaming about something completely unrelated to the topic.

When you allow yourself to be distracted, your listening skills are not what they should be. Missing a critical point in the speaker's presentation can be the result of even a small amount of distraction. If you can focus your attention completely on the speaker, you will hear everything that is being said. In addition, you can be sure that you are a good listener and that you are getting all the relevant information.

One technique for being a better listener involves creating mental images of the speaker's words. This is a method of visualization that really allows you to understand the words you hear. These visualization skills can improve the way people process information. By using these mental images, you will help yourself retain the information you just heard. This improved and improved understanding makes you a better listener.

Paying attention to your body language can be another way to be a good listener. You will offend the listener if you engage in body language that makes the speaker feel that he is not being listened to. Behaviors such as avoiding eye contact, holding your arms, or startle can send a message to the speaker that you are not really listening. These types of body language or behaviors can interrupt the conversation because the speaker doesn't feel like you're interested in what they're saying.

You may also consider asking questions about the speaker's statements. This technique can also help you become a better listener. Remember to ask questions without allowing your questions to interfere with your ability to listen. If you find yourself focusing on one of the speaker's main points and spend the rest of the conversation trying to think of a question that addresses that point, you're missing out on a lot of information.

 Instead, try to ask your questions right away when you think of them. This way, you can get an answer to your question in the context of the speaker's presentation without affecting your listening abilities. When you ask questions as part of the listening, it allows the speaker to realize that their presentation is being followed up and that you are interested in learning more about the topic.

If you practice your listening skills, you will be on your way to becoming a better listener. Try to make a conscientious effort to use your listening skills every time you talk to someone or take part in a presentation. Stay fully focused on the conversation or presentation and try not to guess what the speaker will say. Create mental pictures of the words being spoken and ask valid questions to confirm what you just heard. Every time you have the opportunity to listen, try to work on these important listening skills.

While listening is not as widely practiced as speaking in the art of conversation, it is just as important. When you are an excellent listener, you will not only ensure that you receive the information, but you will assure the speaker that you care about the information presented and that you understand his message.