Chapter 6: Improve communication
Practice active listening and see what you discover.
When you really listen, actively listen, you can uncover so much more from the conversation.
Read through these tips and then start practicing.
Exercise:
Do you listen to respond? Or, do you actively listen?
Actively listening is listening with your full attention, includes looking at the individual, observing their posture, their movements, listening to their words, their tone, their pace. Compiling all of the data points to truly hear what they’re saying.
Often times, we only look at the person and listen for the words and start thinking about how we want to respond.
To really actively listen, focus on the person in front of you, everything about them.
If eye contact is hard, look at a spot in front of the person.
Action: in your next opportunity to listen to someone, face to face, practice the following:
Listen to their words.
Listen to the tone of their voice. Are they happy? Excited? Sad? Frustrated? Curious?
Listen to the pace of their words. Are they speeding up with excitement? Are they hesitant?
Look at their eyes occasionally. Are they looking off, reflecting? Are they focused?
Look at their body posture. Are they upright and engaged? Are their arms crossed, symbolizing some resistance? Are they slouched showing low energy?
Look at their body movements. Are they using hand gestures to express what they’re saying?
Listen WITHOUT thinking of your response.
What do all of these data points convey about what they’re saying? Based on everything, what would you like to say next?
Practice active listening with each listening opportunity you have, and it will become a habit.