How Can Good Listening Skills Improve Your Chances for Success?

Listening is an active process of hearing and understanding what is said.

Listening is more than hearing what someone says. It is an active process that involves processing the information to ensure accurate comprehension. Good listening skills are essential to building effective personal and work relationships. Good listening skills can also improve your chances of success in the workplace.

Getting More Information

According to MindTools, we remember between 25 percent and 50 percent of what we hear. That means that when you are given information orally, you likely miss at least half of the information provided. Using better listening skills would increase the amount of information you receive. For example, if you are having a discussion with your boss about an upcoming project, using good listening skills means you will receive and comprehend more of the necessary information to be successful. Try to focus your attention on the speaker and ask questions when you feel you missed some of the information.

Getting Accurate Information

Often when we listen to a speaker, we feel confused about what he is saying. Other times, we think we understand clearly when we actually do not. Accurately comprehending information reduces the chances of making mistakes at work or school, thus improving productivity, and may strengthen personal relationships. Clarifying the information is one way to ensure that we adequately understand the information provided. Do this by asking questions or making statements such as, "You have given me a lot of information, let me be sure I understand everything." Then restate what the speaker has told you.

Showing You Are Paying Attention

When you speak, you want to feel that others are listening. Your boss, coworkers, teachers and loved ones feel the same way. Showing the speaker that you are paying attention builds her trust in you and lets her know that you are interested in what she has to say. This is quite beneficial in the workplace and in educational settings where employers and instructors value employees and students who pay attention. You can show others that you are paying attention by maintaining adequate eye contact and good posture, nodding or shaking your head in agreement and asking probing questions such as, "What happens next?"

Giving the Speaker the Floor

At times it may seem appropriate to interject with your own information when someone else is speaking. It is difficult to receive and comprehend all of the information being provided when the speaker is interrupted. Give the speaker the floor until all of the necessary information has been provided. It is often not necessary to give your opinion or share a similar experience. This helps ensure that the speaker has given all of information he needs to give you and that you have been listening rather then planning what you want to say next. It also shows the speaker respect.

References

• MindTools: Active Listening
• Taft College: Active Listening Skills
• Canadian Association of Student Activity Advisors: Listening Skills