Some of us don’t understand the art of listening, maybe because we are so much accustomed to electronic communication. That’s too bad, because being a good listener can help you in every aspect of your life – with family and friends, and with your colleagues at work. Want to up your listening game? Follow these good listeners principles.
1. They provide silence.
Moments of silence in a conversation can feel awkward at first, but they give someone the chance to elaborate on how they feel.
2. They reflect.
Reflective statements make a best guess as to what the speaker means. They allow people to hear their words mirrored back.
3. They ask open-ended questions.
Questions like “Can you tell me about ?” can’t be answered in one word, and they invite deeper discussion.