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"Is
Ineffective Listening Hurting Your Professionally?"
by Joli Andre |
"Is
Ineffective Listening Hurting Your
Professionally?"
Poor listening habits should be a serious
concern to executives. When other people talk,
do you really listen with your fullest
attention? Do you remember the names of those
you meet at functions? How well do you really
know your clients? How well do you remember
instructions?
So much time is wasted by a lack of
communication. Studies show that most of us
listen at only about 25% efficiency level.
That means we don’t remember 75% of what is
said to us! Hearing is not the same as
listening. Active Listening requires certain
skills to receive, organize and interpret what
has just been said.
Here are some helpful tips for Effective
Listening:
#1 – Be relaxed and be in a receptive
stance, not anxious or perched to respond.
Keep focused on what they are saying and use
good eye contact.
#2 - Listen with the intention of
understanding and ask for clarity when needed.
You are to listen, not to teach, fix, analyze,
interrupt or defend yourself at that moment.
# 3 - Make listening a fun activity. Tell
yourself that you are going to give everyone
you talk to your full attention.
#4 - Don’t be impatient with speaking pace.
Different parts of the US have various paces
of speech and International executives need
time to express themselves properly in
English.
# 5 - Don’t argue until you have heard the
total comment. Many times we jump to
conclusions before the sentence is completed,
then we look foolish.
#6 - When listening try to summarize what they
have said. Can you repeat the main points of
what was just said either out loud or in your
mind? How well do you remember?
#7 - Be an “active listener” by
maintaining good eye contact, lean forward,
nod your head to show agreement and politely
comment for clarity or enhancement of
conversation.
#8 - Avoid distractions. Keep focused on the
speaker. By looking off in other directions or
not maintaining good eye contact is a
non-verbal communication signal that you
really aren’t interested. If you are truly
not interested in the conversation, politely
stop the conversation, shake their hand and
leave.
#9 - Don’t anticipate what is going to be
said and try to finish their sentence. Listen
to the whole sentence and clarify if
necessary. Listen to their needs and concerns
and leave your comments out of conversation.
Many offenders can’t wait for the speaker to
stop so they can talk about themselves.
#10 - If emotionally charged words or phrases
are used, don’t start an argument. People
are either not sensitive to their comments or
they are ignorant. If offended by their
comments, calmly state your view. If they
retract their statement or apologize for
offending you then continue conversation,
otherwise stop conversation immediately.
# 11 - Listen to the tone and interpret the
speaker’s voice implications. Is the speaker
upset? Depressed? Happy? Be compassionate to
their need for you to listen.
# 13 - Use good body language when listening.
Keep a nice arm’s length speaking distance,
arms can either be by your side or held at
your waist ( not crossed)
A good conversation is when you know as much
about the speaker as they know about you.
Taking turns to listen and speak. Asking open-
ended questions to stimulate a good dialogue.
This is how customer loyalty is built and
friendships develop.
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| Joli
Andre, president of Polished Professionals a
San Diego, CA based company specializing in
staff training on American Business Etiquette
and International Protocol. She is trained and
certified by The Protocol School Of
Washington, D.C., and a member of The National
Speakers Association and the author of
“Business Etiquette Mastery: The Power Of
Executive Leadership”. http://www.polishedprofessionals.com
858/759-9560 |
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