5 Tips for Active Listening

A few quick tips to improve your listening skills. Most people like it when someone listens to them. Most people crave to be heard, maybe you can fulfil their need.

  1. Clear your own mind and heart – so you can turn them towards the other person.
  2. Eliminate or reduce outside distractions – put your phone away, turn the computer off.
  3. Look at the other person if you’re face to face.
  4. Hear the words, from their perspective, to understand them (Stephen Covey: seek first to understand and then to be understood).
  5. Focus on what they are saying and trying to convey, rather than thinking of your reply.