Effective Listening Skills

Let’s face it: Being a good listener is not as easy as it sounds. We’ve all drifted off into our own thoughts when we’re supposed to be paying attention to what someone else is saying.

Maybe it’s because the subject matter is boring or the person is speaking in a monotone; maybe we’re distracted by some personal matter that worries us. Whatever it is, use these tips to help you improve your effective listening skills:

1. Listen more than you talk.
2. Stay focused on what the other person is saying - not on what you’re going to say next. Don’t plan a story you want to tell while the person is still talking.
3. Never finish another person’s sentence.
4. Resist the urge to dominate the conversation. (See tip No. 1!)
5. Give appropriate feedback, but don’t interrupt.
6. Occasionally mirror back short summations of what the other person is saying to keep your mind from moving on to other subjects and to assure the other person that you’ve understood what he or she has been saying.

Go to the my Career Centre for more personal development tips.