4. Hear What People are Really Saying
Listening is one of the most important skills you can
have. How well you listen has a major impact on your
job effectiveness, and on the quality of your
relationships with others.
We listen to obtain information.
We listen to understand.
We listen for enjoyment.
We listen to learn.
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5. “Good communication skills require a high level of selfawareness. By understanding your personal style of
communicating, you will go a long way towards
creating good and lasting impressions with others.”
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7. The purpose is to convey interest and to keep the person
talking.
To do this don’t agree or disagree. Use noncommittal words
in a positive tone of voice.
“I see…” “uh-huh…” “That’s interesting” “What did you
say then?” “What did he say when you said that?”
Be aware of your body language!
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8.
The purpose is to show that you are listening and
understanding.
To do this, restate the other’s basic ideas using your own words.
“If I understand you, you are saying…” “In other words, your
decision is…”
Be aware of your body language!
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9.
The purpose is to show that you are listening and
understand what they are feeling.
To do this restate the other’s basic feeling.
“You feel that…” “You were pretty disturbed by this…”
Be aware of your body language!
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10.
The purpose is to pull important ideas, facts, etc. together,
to establish a basis for further discussion and to review
progress.
To do this restate, reflect and summarize major ideas and
feelings.
“These seem to be the key ideas you have expressed…” “If
I understand you, you feel this way about the situation…”
Be aware of your body language!
If you really want to listen, you will act like a good listener.
Good listeners are like good catchers because they give
their speakers a target and then move that target to
capture the information that is being sent.
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11.
Good listening skills are important in
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School
the workplace
day-to-day living
Yet most of us receive very little training in effective
listening.
◦ Take the Effective Listening Quiz!
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13.
Give the speaker your undivided attention, and acknowledge
the message. Recognize that non-verbal communication also
"speaks" loudly.
Look at the speaker directly.
Put aside distracting thoughts.
Don't mentally prepare a rebuttal!
Avoid being distracted by environmental factors. For
example, side conversations.
"Listen" to the speaker's body language.
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14.
Use your own body language and gestures to convey your
attention.
Nod occasionally.
Smile and use other facial expressions.
Note your posture and make sure it is open and inviting.
Encourage the speaker to continue with small verbal
comments like yes, and uh huh.
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15.
Our personal filters, assumptions, judgments, and beliefs can
distort what we hear. As a listener, your role is to understand
what is being said. This may require you to reflect what is
being said and ask questions.
Reflect what has been said by paraphrasing. "What I'm
hearing is," and "Sounds like you are saying," are great ways
to reflect back.
Ask questions to clarify certain points. "What do you mean
when you say." "Is this what you mean?"
Summarize the speaker's comments periodically.
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16.
Interrupting is a waste of time. It frustrates the speaker and
limits full understanding of the message.
Allow the speaker to finish each point before asking
questions.
Don't interrupt with counter arguments.
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17.
Active listening is a model for respect and understanding. You
are gaining information and perspective. You add nothing by
attacking the speaker or otherwise putting him or her down.
Be candid, open, and honest in your response.
Assert your opinions respectfully.
Treat the other person in a way that you think he or she
would want to be treated.
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18. Strategies to improve your
listening skills.
Increase listening span
Take time to listen
Listen between the lines
Give your full attention
Restate the message
Listen for ideas and facts
Don't monopolize
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19. 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.
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 word.
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20. 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.
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.
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21. 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.
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