Communication Matters (Part 3)
Quick tips to become an active listener
A major part of being a skilful communicator lies in your ability to listen effectively. We should then look at ways in which we can improve our listening skills. Remember, just like other skills, listening also requires constant practice to master it.
Here are four quick tips to improve your listening skills:
i. Watch your listening behaviour: make a conscious effort to evaluate your listening skills.
When you do this, you tend to become alert every time someone speaks to you and this will help you in classroom sessions and your conversation with clients and colleagues.
ii. Practice patience: test your patience by listening, not just pretending to listen, to your lecturers or lengthy video/audio speeches.
Listen to any speech/lecture, trying to understand every word spoken, without interrupting.
iii. Take notes: taking notes will complement your listening
When you practice points i and ii discussed above, you will encounter a situation wherein you might tend to forget any point you would want to put forward or a query you want to raise. In such instances, be it classroom or office, make a note of your point so that you can clarify it at the appropriate time, that is, when you have listened completely to the speaker.
iv. Body posture: Sitting straight actually keep your brain alert.
We know that body language or non-verbal communication is an integral part of the communication package. But have you ever realized that your body language can communicate with your brain or mind or thinking — whatever you would like to call it? Yes, it does and we need to make optimum use of it. So it is important to keep your back straight, irrespective of whether it is a physical or virtual classroom.
Happy Listening!
