Effective listening is a great skill to have in the workplace. According to the University of Missouri people spend about &ldquo;70 to 80 percent of our waking hours in some form of communication.&rdquo; By becoming a better listener you will get more out of each conversation as well as convey an attitude of respect to the speaker. This respect may also be returned to you when you it&#039;s your turn to speak.
During a conversation you may be thinking of what you want to say next or what you&rsquo;re having for dinner or anything except what the speaker is saying. One of the simplest things to foster effective listening is to concentrate. If you find your mind start to wander, refocus on what the speaker is saying. Don&rsquo;t worry about what you missed, pick up the conversation and follow it.
Eyes focused on the speaker, sitting forward slightly in your chair, arms and legs in an open and relaxed position are examples of body language that communicates true listening. Take a second to become aware of what your nonverbal communication is saying to others. If it is anything other than positive and attentive, adjust your position or move your arms or legs. Nonverbal clues are even more important in a tense or difficult discussion. It is still possible to be open and receptive even in the most challenging conversation.
Active listening is not simply muttering the occasional &ldquo;uh-huh&rdquo; or &ldquo;right&rdquo; during a conversation. It means asking clarifying questions to make sure you understand what is being said, and interjecting small and appropriate commentary as needed. Active listening will help you understand the real message behind the speaker&rsquo;s words, which is often more than the mere facts of the conversation.
As it feels appropriate, check with the speaker to ensure that you have a clear understanding of what she is trying to communicate. A simple way to do this is by paraphrasing or repeating back what you heard. Don&rsquo;t be concerned with parroting the exact words; focus more on the intent or meaning of the words. If you haven&rsquo;t accurately understood what the speaker is trying to communicate, paraphrasing is a good opportunity for her to explain her meaning in a new way.
Avoid important business discussions in a noisy environment. Communication is challenging enough without the speaker competing with other noises and distractions for the listener&rsquo;s attention. When possible during business meetings or discussions, turn the phone off, shut down the computer, or at least the monitor, and close the door to discourage people from dropping by. Also, as much as possible avoid interrupting the speaker. Wait for a pause to ask for clarification or more information.
- University of Missouri Extension: Listening: Our Most Used Communication Skill
- BNET: 7 tips for effective listening: productive listening does not occur naturally. It requires hard work and practice - Back To Basics - effective listening is a crucial skill for internal auditors
- Accel Team Development: Interpersonal Communication Skills
- A businessman an businesswoman having a conversation image by sumos from Fotolia.com