Hey, listen! Did you know that improving your active listening skills is one of the best ways to elevate your career? Regardless of your field or job title, becoming a better listener has a myriad of benefits, including improving your leadership and communication skills, increasing your job satisfaction and productivity, and fostering better relationships.
The best part is that becoming a better listener is easy to do as long as you’re conscious and willing to put in the effort. Start enriching your career as a better active listener by incorporating and practicing these methods.
Avoid distractions
When you’re interacting with someone, it’s clear when you don’t have their full attention. Have you ever been frustrated when it’s clear the person you’re talking to is looking at something else? Be sure to avoid disrespecting others by giving them your full attention.
Loud noises, lights, a crowded room, and technology can create a disruptive environment. If you need to have a meaningful conversation but the environment has too many distractions, suggest a change of venue or make time to have the conversation when you’ll have fewer distractions (just don’t put it off too long).
“Be completely present in the conversation and soak in all the sensations that go with it. Better connect with the speaker’s words and emotions by consciously grounding yourself in the here and now.” –Intoo
Pay attention to nonverbals
When you hear the phrase “listening,” your first thought is likely hearing the words through your ears. But listening is about more than just “hearing” someone’s words. Part of being fully present in the dialogue involves paying attention to the speaker’s body language and being aware of your own.
Researcher Albert Mehrabian found that face-to-face communication comes down to 55% nonverbal components, 38% vocal, and 7% words only. To do your part, make direct eye contact, keep your posture straight, and nod when appropriate. Pay attention to these nonverbal signs from the other person. Does their body language match what they’re saying? Can you see subtle signs that something is off, like the other person constantly looking down? You’ll gain more of the full picture by looking for these signs.
“Being able to read body language helps us determine where a person is emotionally. For example, if a person who normally behaves differently isn’t maintaining eye contact, fidgets and has a slumped-over posture, they might be experiencing some anxiety about the topic you’re discussing.” –Cleveland Clinic
Ask thoughtful questions
You don’t want to let what someone is saying enter one ear and quickly come out of the other. In order to give a sincere response and develop a relationship, you need to get the full extent of what the speaker is talking about. The easiest way to make sure you understand what is being said and have the full picture is to ask thoughtful, open-ended questions.
Forbes’ Caroline Castrillon says that “yes” or “no” questions can end a conversation quickly without providing clarity. Instead, focus on ways to keep the conversation going. For example, you can ask about someone’s thoughts on how to approach a problem, look for solutions, or clarify their stance.
“Asking an open-ended question can encourage the speaker to elaborate on an important or interesting idea. It also shows that you have been listening attentively up to that point, and you want to know more. This can nurture a bond between the speaker and listener.” –Coursera
Learn to paraphrase
Once your questions have given you the full picture of what your colleague is saying, try to take a moment to think about what is really being said. Look for their overall thesis and main point by considering the information you’ve learned to that point by learning how to quickly summarize what you’ve been told.
You can quickly respond with, “If I’m understanding correctly, than [problem].” Restating what you’ve been told shows that you’ve been listening and that you’re engaged and empathetic. It also allowed the speaker to clarify any conflicting points in case you misunderstood or they didn’t explain it adroitly. Intoo says that while this is a good time to ask further clarifying questions if needed, stay focused on the big picture and don’t get lost in the minor details.
Don’t just listen, understand
Chances are, someone isn’t talking to you just for the sake of it. They have a mission in mind, whether it’s looking for a solution, providing a different thought, looking to resolve a conflict, or simply having their point of view heard. To truly listen, you need to practice empathy and put yourself in their shoes. By processing how they’re feeling and taking those emotions into consideration with your response, the speaker will feel understood. Pay attention to what isn’t being said as much as what is, but stay nonjudgmental.
Wrap up
There’s more to listening than waiting for someone to speak so you can have your turn. To internalize someone’s message and respond in a meaningful way, you need to focus on understanding and empathizing with someone to internalize their message. Recall the above advice in your communication efforts and you’ll find yourself having much more meaningful conversations. Your team will certainly notice!
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