To be a good communicator, one must be all things at the same time. The moment that you open your mouth to speak, your other senses also need to be alert and awake. A communicator is considered good, if not excellent, if he reads well, writes well, speaks well, and, most importantly, listens well.
Many seem to think that listening is a passive act and, most of the time, disregard it as a skill that needs to be sharpened. They are actually all inter-related. Think of this: how will you be able to deliver a speech and answer your audience’s questions well without fully understanding what they want to know? Listening is also understanding.
Here are a few quick tips to master your listening skills and become an even better communicator than you already are.
Know the importance of listening. First, it is important that you understand that listening is just as important as reading, writing and speaking. Communication becomes a barrier if there is a lack of any of these things. Now, if listening is just as important as all the rest are, then it is also necessary that this skill is sharpened. Instead of it being a passive act, make it active, such as active listening.
Know the different types of listening. There’s discriminatory listening, such as when you are in a dark room and listening to noises to direct you where to go. There is therapeutic listening, when you listen to a friend who has a problem and listening is the best thing you can do at that moment. There’s comprehensive listening, such as when you are in a class and you listen to your professor during lecture. Lastly, there is critical listening, when you listen to candidates running for office lay out their platforms. Be aware of what type of listening you engage in, in your different day-to-day scenarios, and try to listen appropriately.
Avoid distractions. To make you a good and active listener, it is also important to free yourself and your environment of distractions. If the situation you are in requires your full attention, it is best to turn the TV or the radio off. Leave your cell phones and other gadgets that would distract you from fully concentrating and paying attention in another room. This way, if you don’t have anything else to bother or to distract you, you would be able to catch on to every word that the other person is saying and respond appropriately.
Interact. Listening becomes effective when you are able to grasp what the other person is saying. You can show this through asking questions, paraphrasing and taking down notes, if needed. It is okay if you don’t get it the first time, you are free to ask questions. But, remember, people aren’t always going to be patient and won’t want to repeat themselves over and over. Make sure you fully understand the first time.
Constant practice makes perfect. Practice your listening skills by engaging in the different types of listening. You can also practice through having conversations with your friends and co-workers.
Communication is the key to cooperation. In a business setting, this will usually mean the difference between success and failure. Learn to listen, understand, and process information, and you will be a great communicator.
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