English Communication Skill: Up Your Listening Game

Communication is connecting with people, and connecting with people is relationship. Half the story is listening.

Do you want to be a better listener.. or gasp!… an over the top listener?  Do you want other persons to know you are truly in the same space with them?

Here’s two techniques, easy and immediate.

First, clear away the clutter–. noise clutter, desk clutter, even mind clutter.

What to do?

• Don’t just mute devices, turn them off– phone, streaming device or TV.
• Something else on your mind? Write it down before you enter a conversation. Your note’s the reminder, so no worry about forgetting to get to this issue– and your mind is free to focus on the rest of the conversation.
• Clear your desk of whatever is between you and the speaker – so you concentrate on the speaker’s message.
• Can’t turn phone off, then don’t accept phone calls or view texts. Such Interruptions makes the person in the room feel unimportant and makes what you have to say seem unimportant.

Second, count to three. Couldn’t be simpler– to enable you to listen more effectively, just count to three before you speak.  This slight delay enables you to absorb and understand the last statement before you respond. Three seconds to absorb the message and give the other person one last chance to modify the statement or question.  Even if your response is that you must consult with your client, spouse, or boss, pausing for three seconds helps you better understand and remember what the other person said.

Be sure to watch our English Speech Tips videos and Accent Reduction Tip videos  for more English pronunciation and accent reduction exercise.