To help someone’s problem, you must first listen to them. But did you know that active listening is a skill? That can be learned and improved over time to succeed professionally?
Now, what is active listening?
It is the ability to listen patiently and attentively to the person talking without interrupting him. The mere knowledge of this ability can help you make progress at your workplace. If you want to be a leader, this is a skill you should master. This is a good skill to have because it allows you to understand what is being told to you rather than your interpretation of what you should do. This is who it allows you to succeed in your workplace because it makes you more accurate and precise.
If you read a company’s requirement for hiring any managing position. They always mention that they want someone with very good communication skills. The reason is that anyone applying for this post would have to connect with people working in the organization or outside.
Nowadays people give a lot of effort into developing communication skills; attend seminars and workshops on it to become an expert in it. What they often skip is the development of an even better skill which is active listening. This skill particularly helps you in acing an interview because this is the skill that the hiring department is looking for. Learning skills like active listening, critical thinking, and problem-solving can make your work life so much better.
We will tell you exactly how to improve your listening skills and particularly develop active listening.
How to develop the skill of active listening
The following points will help you in improving your listening power
Always be there.
You might have a lot of work you need to get done at your office which may demand you to multitask. Consequently, you are not fully attentive to the person speaking to you. Now, to be a better listener focus entirely on the speaker, and require deliberate effort to resist any other temptation. And make the speaker the centre of your attention till the time he is speaking. Pay attention to his expressions and each word that comes out of his mouth.
Pay attention to the delivery of the speech.
A good listener will also be able to tell what is not being told. He will pay close attention to the speaker’s facial expression to understand the gravity of the situation. This skill will also enable him to sort disputes before they take an ugly turn.
Do not cut someone while talking.
By doing this, you give the impression that you are actively engaged with the other person helping you win over their trust. It sometimes gets difficult when a client is going on and on about something that you have a better knowledge of. But this skill requires your patience because you have to still listen to them and then politely address their concerns.
Be sympathetic.
If someone comes up to you with a problem, be mindful of his sentiments. Use your best knowledge to help him, keeping in mind that there would be a time you would have to go to other help to seek help and you would not wish for them to be insensitive to you.
Be articulate.
Whenever work is required from you, make sure that you understand the exact nature of the work that is demanded and expected from you.
Always repeat what you have been asked to do.
Take confirmation of this before setting off to do any task that you have asked to do.
Positive body language.
By maintaining eye contact, nodding, facing the person squarely, etc. you can win the trust of the speaker. This way you can earn a good reputation for yourself.
Ask relevant questions.
Be in touch with your team members. Sometimes you might get carried on with your work so much that you have little or no time to interact with people around you. At this point, make a conscious effort to engage in talks with your coworkers so they do not feel like you’re always in a rush or engaged so much in your tasks that you are ignorant to those around you.
Do not confine your active listening to just people around you, practice it in your phone calls, and your virtual meetings as well. This skill is so important that it is widely used by psychologists in providing therapy and treatment to their patients.
Never belittle the power of soft skills.
The company might be looking at your professional skills and qualifications on your resume but in person, they would choose a person with good communication and listening skills.
The power of active listening would make you more amiable among your clients and coworkers alike. This will not only help you in your career but also make a huge difference in your daily life communication.
