How to Overcome the Barriers to Effective Listening
Your colleague is explaining his perspective of an issue, but you don't feel you are really listening to him. You have been sitting through a whole meeting without actually listening to a word of it. Sounds familiar? Don't worry, for there are millions of others who face the same problem every day at work. Active listening is an invaluable skill that can help you both professionally and personally. Environmental distractions, personal prejudice and too much emotion at work can prevent you from becoming an active listener. But, no panic is necessary, because there are techniques to overcome these barriers.
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Instructions
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Stop prejudging. Prejudging happens when you are in contention with the message or the messenger. The speaker may not be your favorite person or the message being delivered may not agree with your values, but do not let these be reasons to stop you from listening actively. Practice straightforward listening to overcome this barrier: Shut down your emotional attachment to your personal beliefs for a while. Realize that your opinion is just one of the many views, and so is the speaker's. Be curious about what the person has to say. And if your problem is the messenger, go beyond your dislike and just listen to what he has to say and you may even find it useful.
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Minimize physical distractions. Block audible noises; keep your cell phone on vibration or shut off your email indicator. It may not be possible to shut down out-of-control elements such as noises from nearby construction site or the interior décor of the meeting room, but, if possible, choose a room that you are comfortable with and that is away from noises.
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Cut off mental distractions. If you are busy talking to yourself in your mind wording your next argument or response, then you are hardly listening. Stop talking to yourself and give rapt attention to the speaker. Listening to someone criticizing the speaker while he is talking is also a distraction. Avoid paying attention to such criticisms and give your attention to the message being delivered.
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Practice effective listening. Sit straight, look into the eyes of the speaker and focus on what she is saying. Shut down your prejudices and distractions. Pay attention to her words and body language as well to get the real message. See the situation from her point of view and imagine how you would feel. Ask questions; you not only get clarifications but also convey to the speaker that you are really listening to what she is saying.
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