Do you know how much time do you spend listening? It is estimated that half of our time is spent listening. Good listening is an essential part of active communication and makes us better managers, customers, coworkers, supervisors, parents and mates. Most of us aren't good listeners; however, listening is a skill that you can always improve.
1. Focus on the speaker and let them know you are listening by giving verbal cues such as, 'yes', ' I see' and non-verbal cues such as, nodding, leaning forward and smiling. Give the speaker your full attention
2. Make eye contact, look at the person you are speaking to or who is speaking to you. Looking in another direction or distracting glances appear as though you are not listening.
3. Avoid interrupting. It's rude and you cannot talk and listen at the same time. If you assume what people are going to say before they say it and then interrupt to respond to your assumptions, you will annoy the person you are talking with and you will miss the real message.
4. Ask questions and try to see the other person's point-of-view. Don't assume that you know what the person saying if things are not making sense for you. If you are unsure of the meaning ask for clarification and then if you are still not sure repeat it back to them.
5. Acknowledge the other person's feelings; make them feel like you understand and that it is okay to feel the way they do.
6. Be patient when you don't understand; getting upset won't solve any problems but will only create more.
Express your point-of-view and make a conscious choice about your response.
Sheila Dicks is an Image and Wardrobe consultant who teaches women to dress to suit their body type and look slimmer. You can visit her at http://www.sheilasfashionsense.com to download her ebook 'Image Makeovers' and get 'How to Build a Wardrobe' free.
licensed cleaning services Park Ridge ..Who wants to carry on being a failure?Failure. Not a... Read More
Start a "round robin" goal letter with others who need... Read More
In a recent article (What is The Ultimate Lifestyle), I... Read More
In the first part of this article you learned some... Read More
It has been truly said, and history confirms, that the... Read More
Do you remember when you were a child and no... Read More
Money will buy me a house, but not a home,... Read More
As a speaker and trainer, people often approach me after... Read More
By popular request, I thought I would put together this... Read More
About six years ago I began to study tai chi.... Read More
Everyone wants to be successful. Everyone wants to have more,... Read More
A Lifelong Learning Plan is a conscious, continuous engagement in... Read More
Have a therapeutic meltdown It's crunch time: you're two days... Read More
Dr. Wayne Dyer published his best-selling book, "10 Secrets for... Read More
Signs of DiscontentYou don't need a degree in psychology to... Read More
Both the worst and the best of the great achievers... Read More
This morning, on TV, I was amazed to see how... Read More
"Perseverance allows you to get back on track when you... Read More
Dr. Deepak Chopra is a well-known author of more than... Read More
You've tried and failed. You've watched others fall. You're wiped... Read More
Find a higher reason to reach your goal than just... Read More
Your own pressing needs, your long-standing frustrations, would benefit tremendously... Read More
If you'd like to fulfill your long-held dreams, try a... Read More
I always say to my children, as long as you... Read More
Many of the problems we have with discipline are caused... Read More
on demand house cleaning Arlington Heights ..How many times do we fail at something, then attemp... Read More
There are so many internet marketing schemes out there so... Read More
When you are in business every person you hire gets... Read More
I always say to my children, as long as you... Read More
These days success is a hotly debated subject. Nevertheless, people... Read More
In the book, The SHOCKwealth System?, it is discussed that... Read More
In my private practice for the past 13+ years I... Read More
Just how powerful is the Subconscious Mind and how can... Read More
Something's missing! As a Hispanic in this great country, I... Read More
"One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key... Read More
Create a truth and step into it There is a... Read More
Everybody wants to get to the top, whether it is... Read More
Freedom is the deeper meaning, the foundation behind all of... Read More
If you want to be successful in life, business, or... Read More
Over the years many people have offered their models of... Read More
Thoughts are very powerful. An intention held long and hard... Read More
I want to focus our thoughts on each of these... Read More
Coaching is about living great lives. It's about living lives... Read More
Imagine living in the world that Helen Keller found herself... Read More
When entering second adulthood, many women will begin a journey... Read More
How do you land your dream job, win... Read More
Finding balance is deciding to notice what goes on in... Read More
Is it possible to get rich quick using the power... Read More
Most self-help truths are obvious but obvious truths are often... Read More
Why do diets end up in gained weight? Why do... Read More
Success |