Building Listening Skills

In being a part of any kind of relationship, it is highly beneficial to learn how to improve and build listening skills. Communication is always learning how to speak and listen; this is especially important when working in a team setting.




Here are some tips to build powerful listening skills:

1) Be in control of the environment around you and limit your distractions

• Limit the amount of distractions in the environment around you. If you need to have a business meeting, move to an area where there are fewer noises

2) Avoid interruptions

• Although you may not always agree with what a speaker may be saying, it is important to not convey any negative body language such as rolling your eyes or loudly sighing. Treat individuals with the respect you want and do not interrupt when someone is speaking

3)  Be active and take notes

• when you are listening to the meeting, makes notes for things you don't understand or that you are interested in learning more about. This helps show that you are interested and is also a valuable learning tool

4) Ask questions and ask for clarification

•  Asking questions are a good learning and listening tool and goes well in conjunction with taking notes and being an active participant in a meeting. It also shows the speaker and coworkers that you are taking an interest in what is being discussed in the meeting

5) Be open minded

• Try to be unbiased and open to ideas (including criticisms) from your fellow coworkers

 6) Identify facts from opinions and Identify the important facts

• make sure that the information on the topic you are discussing is credible. It is also valuable to your audience to identify the important facts that may affect them or that may be a point of interest to them

7) Paraphrase

• whether you are running a meeting or just participating in one,  paraphrase the information you are relaying/receiving. It is again a good listening and learning skill to make notes in your own words so you can easily absorb the information and retain it

8) Capitalize on Lag Time

• Use lag time to remain attentive on the purpose and the information provided in the meeting. Sometime it is easy to loose your train of thought so it is important to stay focused

References
Guffey, M. (2011). Business Communication: Process and Product. Toronto: Nelson Education.