Mastering the art of effective listening skills WILL make you successful! When others notice you are paying close attention to what they are saying, they feel understood, loved and cared for. Intently listening to another person and using active listening skills will allow them to feel important and respected by you.
There are many things you can do to communicate to others that you are actively listening to them. Your use of body language, thoughtful questions and conversational motivation will communicate your interest in them and what they have to say. Improper use of any of these can be disastrous and can lead to people highly misinterpreting you.
The body language you utilize will reinforce your verbal interest in someone else. Making eye contact and facing the other person when talking with them are two things you can do to promote a positive image of yourself. This is often done on a subconscious level and is a very important component of positive communication. Leaning towards the other person when talking to them and giving them undivided attention also communicates your interest.
Asking thoughtful questions tells the other person that you are really listening to them. It also communicates that you really have a desire to understand them. Questions provoke more in depth thought about the subject matter and problems may even be solved this way. Asking thoughtful questions allows the other person to clarify their agenda.
Learning to communicate with active listening skills requires practice. Repeating what was said clarifies the other persons thoughts. Offering challenges to what the speaker has said assists them in seeing discrepancies in their thinking. Asking questions allows the other person to think about different perspectives of their topic.
These skills are most useful in the business environment but are useful in any setting. Learning the art of active listening is a CRITICAL TOOL in the workplace and, if used wisely, can and WILL make you successful!
Ann Lewis, CTA-CC Expert Author & Owner of Simply Life Travel & Simply Life Coach www.simplylifetravel.com
George S Clason
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