Listening technique

So how can you brush up on your listening technique?

1. Give the speaker your full attention. Look at them.
2. Watch the person’s non-verbal communication. Are they looking away or wriggling?
3. Be aware of your preconceived ideas or biases about them—these stop you hearing.
4. Show you are listening through attentive body language—body comfortably straight, not slumped. Body facing towards the person, leaning slightly towards them. Smile slightly.
5. Do not interrupt. You can’t listen if you are busy thinking of what you are going to say next.
6. Check for your understanding by “paraphrasing” - repeating or restating what the person said in your own words. For example—”so what I heard you say was … is that right?”
7. Check how the person is feeling behind the words. For example—”you look really sad when you say that” or “it sounds like that made you really angry”.
8. Ask questions to check your understanding.
9. Give approval—let the person know that you approve of them or praise them, it encourages further communication.
10. Jot down notes if appropriate to keep track of complex or detailed points.
11. Don’t jump to conclusions—it can lead to missed opportunities.
12. Don’t stay totally silent—add in simple and brief words or sounds to show you are listening like “mmmm” of “aha”.