How to Be a Good Listener

Have you ever missed out on details of a conversation or been told that you don’t listen? It is quite common but it can be corrected easily. Being a good listener does not require talent, it requires discipline. Here’s a few suggestions on how to be a good listener.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

How to be a good listener

1. If you are heavily engaged in an activity and someone comes to you unexpectedly, do one of two things. Either stop what you are doing and give them your full attention or ask them to please come back later because you cannot be interrupted now.

2. If the person returns later, stop what you are doing, look at them and give them your full attention.

3. Never interrupt the person before they are finished talking.

4. Never judge the person that's talking to you. Be open to suggestions and solutions.

5. If you are having a conversation that requires details that you know you won’t remember, write them down on paper.

6. If the person requires an answer that is beyond your knowledge or expertise, refer them to someone else. Don’t just brush off what they are talking about because you don't have the answer.

7. When someone is talking to you, don’t walk away when they are talking. Look at their eyes so they can know that you are listening and that what they are saying is important.

8. Never mock what the person has to say.

9. Learn to read in between the lines so that you can hear what they are really saying.

Tips & Warnings

• Regarding your children: sometimes you get busy and need to complete a project without being disturbed, and that is normal. However, you need to make it clear to your family that during this time you need to stay focussed and would prefer not to be interrupted, but you want to be with them before and after. If this is an ongoing project, you need to plan time before or after so they feel that you are still listening to their needs.

[12magazine]

on 6/19/2009 true!