How to Improve Active Interpersonal Listening Skills

Listening skills are necessary in business and personal interactions.

Listening skills are very important in all relationships. Effective listening lets the other person know you truly care about what he has to say and what he is feeling at that moment.



Sometimes a troubled person does not need someone to tell him what to do or how to solve his problems; he may just need someone who will take the time to allow him to vent his feelings and make him feel appreciated.



Listening is very important in business, whether it is taking instruction from upper management or lending a sympathetic ear to an employee who may be struggling.

Instructions

1. Clear your mind of all distractions when listening to someone. Turn down or off any background noises such as radios, televisions or machinery to let the person know he has your full attention. If the phone rings, quickly take a message and promise to call back when you are free.

2. Focus on what the person is trying to tell you. Don't allow your attention to wander; really listen to what is being said. Maintain eye contact. Don't let your eyes slide over to your computer screen or scan the paperwork on your desk. Make the individual feel important by giving him your full attention.

3. Remain silent as long as needed to allow the person to totally convey his message. Don't interrupt or insert a story or account of your own. When the individual is finished, ask pertinent questions to assure him that you heard his message. Repeat small sections of the conversation to be sure that you understood him correctly.

4. Use body language to convey that you are listening. Face the individual, lean forward and nod occasionally. Continue to maintain eye contact and restrain from writing anything unless it pertains to the conversation. Smile or laugh when appropriate.

5. Observe the individual's body language for any unspoken subtle messages he may be trying to convey. If he appears to be nervous or fidgets excessively, there may be something that he is trying to tell you but is embarrassed or unsure about how to discuss.

Tips & Warnings

• Good listening skills are acquired through practice and focus. They are essential in all facets of a person's life: They help save money, build closer relationships, reduce time wasted and promote understanding.

References

• Mind Tools: Active Listening -- Hear What People Are Really Saying
• Small Business Delivered: The Art of Effective Listening