5 WAYS TO BECOMING A BETTER LISTENER
1. Choose to Be Intentionally Present
About 6.4 billion people worldwide use a smartphone. On average, each of these users spends about 3 hours and 43 minutes each day on their mobile devices. Eliminate distractions and focus on the person talking. If you can’t meet in person and are talking to someone on the phone, don’t be tempted to check your email on your monitor or you will lose focus.Â
2. Become an Other-minded Listener.
It’s better to be interested than interesting. To do this, be quick to listen and slow to speak and learn to ask open ended questions. Seeking first to understand instead of to be understood will create a safe environment for the other person to feel heard and valued. By becoming genuinely interested in the other person’s perspective, you help the other person trust you and share honestly what they believe and why they believe it.Â
3. Be Empathetic and Never Judge
Listening is an act of empathy as you try to see a situation through another person’s eyes and understand how they’re feeling. You can’t do this when you’re judging them as they’re talking. Remember that people will open up more when you’re not judging them. Extend respect, compassion, grace, and forgiveness to the degree that you would like it extended to you.
4. Show That You’re Actually Listening
Your body language shows how attentive you are to the other person. Make eye contact. Lean forward and learn to nod, especially when they give out suggestions, as that would encourage the other person to talk more. Avoid thinking about what you will say next in your response to them.
5. Don’t Talk While the Other Person is Still Talking
 It can be rude to stop the person mid-sentence because you need to talk. Also — when you don’t understand, don’t hesitate to ask them to repeat what they have just said. If possible, you can also consider repeating what they have said to ensure that you have fully understood it.
Are You Ready to Be a Better Listener? We can help, contact Stewart Life Coaching…We’re listening.
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