3. Good listening skills are important in
◦ school
◦ the workplace
◦ day-to-day living
Yet most of us receive very little training in
effective listening.
4. Minimize or remove any barriers to communication that may threaten their
effectiveness.
Physically face towards and pay attention to the speaker.
Listen for and verbally confirm the speaker's intent or purpose.
Confirm the content or the speaker's request (the who, what, where, when,
why and how).
Clarify the degree of importance of the request to the speaker. What is the
reason, need or urgency of the request?
Recognize the level of emotion demonstrated by the speaker.
Summarize and share their understanding of what is being requested.
Indicate the level of response they will be able to provide.
5. Many factors hinder our listening. Here are a few
examples:
◦ Daydreaming.
◦ Preparing our responses ahead of time.
◦ Thinking about other people, places or things.
6.
7. Here are 7 strategies and suggestions to help you
improve your listening skills.
◦ 1.) Increase your listening span:
Try to resist the temptation to interrupt.
Make sure the speaker has had a complete chance to make his or
her point before you speak.
If you don't get the whole message, ask the speaker to repeat
what they said.
8. 2.) Take time to listen:
◦ Don't put obvious limitations on your listening time - the
speaker will feel rushed.
3.) Listen between the lines:
◦ Don't just listen to what is being said.
◦ Try to understand the attitudes, needs and motives
behind the words.
9. 4.) Give your full attention:
◦ Nodding or interjecting occasionally to clarify a point lets
the speaker know you are interested.
◦ If the speaker pauses briefly, don't rush to fill the silence.
◦ Use open-ended questions to encourage elaboration.
10. 5.) Restate the message:
◦ When you are sure that the speaker has finished, restate
the main points.
◦ This is a good organizing strategy for you.
◦ It also gives the speaker assurance that the message
has been received.
11. 6.) Listen for ideas as well as facts:
◦ A good listener makes an effort to understand what the
facts add up to.
7.) Don't monopolize:
◦ Resist the urge to dominate a situation or to feel that
you know everything about a situation.
◦ Be open to new ideas and allow the speaker to have
his or her say.
