Becoming a Better Listener
High angle portrait of young woman answering questions during job interview in office, copy space
Becoming a Better Listener
In today’s fast-paced world, listening has become a lost art. With the advent of technology, people have become more focused on themselves, their goals, and their desires. As a result, listening has taken a backseat in most people’s lives, especially working professionals’ lives. However, becoming a good listener is a critical skill that can help individuals advance in their personal and professional lives. Entrepreneur Raphael Avraham Sternberg believes anyone can become a better, more informed listener by following simple steps.
1. To Make a Conscious Effort to Listen Actively
This means that individuals should pay attention to the speaker’s words, body language, and tone of voice. Active listening is essential in developing a deeper understanding of the speaker’s message. It is also crucial in building trust, rapport, and a stronger relationship with the speaker.
2. To Practice Empathy
Empathy means understanding and sharing the feelings of others. When individuals practice empathy, they can put themselves in the speaker’s shoes and see things from their perspective. This helps in creating a more meaningful and profound connection with the speaker. It also demonstrates that the listener is genuinely interested in understanding the speaker’s point of view.
3. To Ask Open-Ended Questions
It is impossible to say yes or no to an open-ended question. With the aid of these questions, you can keep the conversation going while also involving the speaker. By posing open-ended inquiries, you demonstrate to the speaker that you are considering what they have to say.
4. To Avoid Interrupting the Speaker
Interrupting is a sign of disrespect and shows that the listener is not fully engaged in the conversation. By allowing the speaker to finish their thoughts, the listener can better understand the message and respond appropriately.
5. To Avoid Distractions
This means the listener should remove distractions, such as mobile phones or computers, and focus solely on the speaker. Removing distractions allows the listener to concentrate on the speaker’s message and avoid missing any critical points.
6. To Provide Feedback
Feedback is an essential aspect of communication. It shows the speaker that the listener has understood their message and is interested in furthering the conversation. Feedback can be in the form of verbal cues, such as nodding or saying “I see,” or it can be more in-depth, such as summarizing the speaker’s message or asking follow-up questions.
7. To Practice
Becoming a good listener takes practice. It is a skill that can be honed and developed over time. The more individuals practice active listening, empathy, open-ended questions, and feedback, the better they will become at listening.
Becoming a better listener is a critical skill for working professionals. Following the steps of Raphael Avraham Sternberg, individuals can become better listeners and build stronger relationships with their colleagues, clients, and customers. Active listening, empathy, open-ended questions, avoiding interruptions and distractions, providing feedback, and practicing are all essential elements in becoming a better listener. With a little effort and time, anyone can become a more effective listener and advance in their personal and professional lives.
