Pro Tips: How to Develop an Ability to Listen Effectively

Ever wondered if there is a difference between listening and hearing? Hearing is the passive, physical process of perceiving sound, while listening is an active, intentional process of understanding and interpreting the meaning behind the sounds.
Listening is an important skill in all life areas, whether sitting for an interview while communicating with colleagues, or even in family relationships. But most of us are not as good at listening as we should be.

When we show we are really listening, it’s much more rewarding for the person talking to you. This process is known as active listening, which helps avoid misunderstandings and reduces conflict-arising situations.

You can try these tips to develop an ability to listen effectively in your workplace:

1. Be present in the moment

While communicating, the biggest barrier that hinders effective communication is distractions. Be it from your phone, background noise, or your thoughts. To listen effectively, you have to be present in the moment and give your full attention to the speaker. Maintain eye contact with your speaker; by doing so, show the speaker that you value their thoughts, and it helps you absorb the information better.
Pro Tip: Practice mindfulness techniques before important conversations. Even a minute of deep breathing can help clear your mind and sharpen your focus on the speaker. You can even keep your phone on silent to avoid unnecessary distractions.

2. Use active listening techniques

While speaking, simply saying ‘hmm’ and nodding may give the impression that you are not attentive. For effective listening, offering verbal acknowledgments such as “I see”, and “okay” and following techniques such as nodding, and maintaining eye contact can help the speaker feel heard and encourage them to elaborate.
Pro Tip: Summarize what the speaker has said after they finish a point. This not only helps clarify understanding but also shows the speaker that you’ve been paying attention.

3. Avoid interrupting

Avoid interrupting the speaker, as it shows that you are more interested in speaking than listening to the speaker. Allow the speaker to finish their thought and then add on to what they were saying. This shows mutual respect and enables you to keep track of important details. 
Pro Tip: When you feel the urge to interrupt, take a deep breath and remind yourself to wait. If you’re worried about forgetting a point, jot it down to mention later.

4. Ask open-ended questions

Asking questions shows that you are listening keenly, and also gives the speaker the motivation to continue and elaborate more. Engaging in open-ended questions leads to a dialogue, more than a monologue, and allows a richer understanding of the topic at hand. Clarify or deepen understanding by asking relevant questions after the speaker has paused.
Pro Tip: Avoid yes/no questions, as they can close off the conversation. Instead, ask questions that require elaboration, encouraging the speaker to dive deeper into their thoughts.

5. Be aware of non-verbal cues

Be attentive to non-verbal communication cues while speaking and listening. Notice the speaker’s body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice. Being aware of these cues provides deeper insights into what the speaker is truly saying. For example, crossed arms may signal defensiveness, while a soft tone may indicate hesitation or discomfort.
Pro Tip: Pay attention to your body language, too. Open posture, nodding, and leaning slightly forward signal interest and engagement with the speaker.

6. Follow up

It is a good practice to follow up in a professional setting. Reflect on the speaker’s words to confirm understanding and allow for corrections. Following up reinforces what was discussed and ensures that both parties are on the same page.
Pro Tip: While speaking, summarize and mention the points discussed in the conversation. This reinforces that you’ve listened carefully and gives the speaker a chance to review and add additional points that may have been missed.

Effective listening is an art that takes time and practice to develop. By being present, and using active listening techniques, you can improve your ability to truly hear and understand others. This skill enhances your personal and professional relationships and also leads to better problem-solving and collaboration.

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