Why a Speaker Needs -
Effective Listening Skills

Developing effective listening skills is just as important as developing your speaking skills.

Why? Because good communication is a partnership. Without great listening skills the ability to communicate meaningfully is lessened.

(Don't need the why? Skip to 10 tips for developing effective listening skills)

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I'm sure you've had the experience of 'being talked at' rather than 'with'. You will also know the feeling of having been 'heard' but not listened to. Both lead to communication breakdowns.

When you communicate well, whether listening or speaking, you are mindful of whom you are listening or speaking to. The focus is not you but whomever you are interacting with. You are empathising.

If you are listening you are doing so actively rather than passively. You are fully focused on the speaker and listening beyond the words.

If you are speaking, you are watching for cues to show you're being understood. You will be adapting your speech to meet the needs of your listener.

Great communication is a dynamic dance: a duet between effective listening skills and effective speaking skills.

Aside from improving your speaking when you work on developing effective listening skills, you are also actively working on improving the quality of all your inter-personal relationships. If the people you interact with feel acknowledged through your concentrated attention, they are more likely to give the same back to you.

1. Understand the difference between 'active'and 'passive' listening

   To listen 'actively' means to be engaged, involved. You are actively using every sense you have to listen.

   To listen 'passively' means you hear the words with your ears. You are letting the sound of the words wash over you rather than going forward to meet and greet them. They 'go in one ear and out the other'.

Empathy... 'Empathy is often characterized as the ability to "put oneself into another's shoes", or experiencing the outlook or emotions of another being within oneself, a sort of emotional resonance.' Source: Wikipedia True empathy is a gift. As the speaker or the listener, you'll know when you've received it as you'll feel valued.

2. Eliminate outer distractions

   If you are giving someone your full attention then sounds other than those you want to hear can distract. Turn off what you can, (a radio, ipod ...), and consciously block out the rest.

3. Eliminate inner distractions

   Quell the urge to think about anything other than what you are hearing. If you allow your mind to wander you are letting yourself lapse into 'passive' rather 'active' listening.

4. Pay close attention to the speaker's body language and in particular their face and hands. Watch for non-verbal cues giving suggestions as to how the spoken information is to be interpreted.
   Click for a quick basic guide to body language . If you're unfamiliar with the notion of 'reading' the way a person holds their body, this will serve as a good introduction.
5. Listen to the tone of the voice

   What feelings does it evoke in you? What does it let you know about the speaker's emotional state beyond the words they are using?

   Listen too for changes in tone, pitch or pauses within the speech. These can signal subject shifts or transitions. They may also be letting you know what is and what isn't important.

6. Listen to the tone of the words chosen to express the speaker's ideas.

   Most of us use differing vocabularies depending on whom we are speaking to and what it is we are saying. What is the speaker's choice of words saying to you beyond the words themselves?

7. Pay close attention to cues heralding note-worthy information or summary statements.

   Examples:

   • 'There are two things I want you to remember...'
   • 'There are three important steps. The first is...'
   • 'To sum up...'
8. Resist the urge to respond or react

   Let the words communicate with you freely. They are not free if you are already deciding what you're going to say because you have shifted your focus from the speaker to yourself. A premature outburst either in your mind or outloud can block communication.

9. Practice playing-back what 'you think' you heard

   If it's appropriate check your understanding. Use your own words to paraphrase and or/summarise what was said. Ask if you heard rightly. Get confirmation or clarification.

10. Be aware of cultural difference

    Body language varies significantly across cultures as does what can and what can't be talked about. Before leaping to a conclusion reflecting your own interpretation or prejudice, ask.

In conclusion, effective listening skills help you and everybody else.

Take your time and be patient with yourself while you are learning them. To turn habits of a life time around is a challenge.

If you've never experienced being consciously listened to, really listening to others will feel quite strange for awhile. The reactions you used to have while 'listening' without consideration will still pop up in your mind and perhaps out of your mouth. But the fact you're aware of what effective listening skills are will gradually change them. You will succeed if you sincerely want to.

Related pages:
If you're looking for tips on 'how to listen when you're a member of an audience', this page on Audience Etiquette will give you what you need.

Happy listening

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