Six Key Practices To Be A Better Listener

Effective listening is a crucial skill that enables individuals to understand and retain information, build relationships, and make better decisions. It is a fundamental communication skill that is essential in both personal and professional settings. Being an attentive and effective listener requires focus, openness, and a willingness to engage with the speaker. Here are six best practices for being an attentive and effective listener:

1. Pay attention: This may seem obvious, but it is essential to actively listen and give your full attention to the speaker. This means putting aside distractions, such as checking your phone or thinking about something else and focusing on the words and meaning of the speaker. Avoiding interruptions is also important, as it shows respect for the speaker and allows them to fully convey their message. Maintaining eye contact and using nonverbal cues, such as nodding your head, can also demonstrate that you are engaged in the conversation.

2. Listen with an open mind: It is essential to approach listening with an open mind and a willingness to consider new perspectives and ideas. Avoid jumping to conclusions or making judgments before the speaker has finished speaking. Instead, try to understand the speaker's perspective and consider their ideas objectively. This requires an open and receptive attitude, as well as an ability to set aside any biases or preconceptions you may have. By listening with an open mind, you can gain a deeper understanding of the speaker's message and gain insights that may challenge your own viewpoints.

3. Clarify and confirm understanding: If you are not sure you understand something the speaker has said, don't be afraid to ask for clarification. It is better to ask for clarification than to misunderstand the speaker's message. Asking questions plays an important role in being a better listener. Open-ended questions such as "What do you mean by that?" or "How did you come to that conclusion?" can help to provide deeper understanding of the conversation. These types of questions help to further the conversation and engage the other person. Instead of just blindly and quickly responding, take a moment to think before answering. Asking open-ended questions also encourages the other person to think more deeply and explain their views more thoroughly. This can help to create a more productive dialogue.
   
   You can also try paraphrasing what the speaker has said to confirm your understanding. This helps to ensure that you are accurately interpreting the speaker's words and can provide an opportunity for the speaker to further explain their thoughts.

4. Avoid interrupting: Interrupting the speaker can be rude and disrupt the flow of the conversation. It is important to give the speaker the opportunity to finish their thought before jumping in with your own comments or questions. This allows the speaker to fully convey their message and helps to ensure that you are not missing any important information. It can also be helpful to mentally summarize what the speaker has said to ensure that you are accurately following their train of thought.

5. Show empathy: Showing empathy means trying to understand the speaker's feelings and perspective. Use nonverbal cues, such as nodding and maintaining eye contact, to show that you are listening and engaging with the speaker. You can also try to reflect back on what the speaker has said by saying things like, "It sounds like you're feeling frustrated about this situation." This helps the speaker feel heard and understood, and can also help to build trust and rapport.

6. Practice active listening: Active listening involves not only paying attention to the words the speaker is saying but also trying to understand the underlying meaning and emotion. This means paying attention to nonverbal cues, such as body language and tone of voice, and asking open-ended questions to encourage the speaker to elaborate on their thoughts and feelings. One tangible way to demonstrate your understanding is to restate their point back to them. 
   
   This technique serves two main purposes. First, it shows the speaker that you have been listening to them and that you are engaged in the conversation. Second, it gives you the opportunity to make sure that you have understood what they are saying. Taking the time to restate their point encourages a more meaningful dialogue between you and the other person, as it can lead to further discussion about the subject. The key to success in restating the other person’s point back to them is to avoid simply repeating back the same words that they said. Instead, aim to summarize the message in your own words. This will give the other person the opportunity to clarify any points that may have been misunderstood and to provide more detail if they wish. This encourages the other person to elaborate on their feelings and opens up the conversation further. Active listening requires a high level of focus and engagement, as well as an ability to interpret the speaker's words and emotions. It can be a challenging skill to master, but it is an essential component of effective communication.

Being an attentive and effective listener is a valuable skill that can benefit you in many aspects of your life. It is a crucial skill that enables individuals to understand and retain information, build relationships, and make better decisions Whether you are participating in a professional meeting, having a conversation with a friend, or simply listening to a lecture, the ability to listen effectively can help you to understand and retain information, build relationships, and make better decisions. By following the best practices outlined above, you can improve your listening skills and become a more attentive and effective listener.
​
It is important to remember that effective listening is a skill that requires practice and effort. It is not something that comes naturally to everyone, and it may take time and effort to develop and improve your listening skills. However, with practice and dedication, you can become a more attentive and effective listener and gain the benefits that come with this valuable skill.

Executives leaders looking to drive successful outcomes and need support with executive leadership coaching from Stuart Andrews should get in touch NOW! The Leadership Shift: How to Lead Successful Business Transformations in the New Normal contains further information on executive leadership and transformational change. Get your copy here!