Why is effective listening important

How is she? This particular conversational affront happens all the time. Our questions lead people in directions that have nothing to do with where they thought they were going.

Sometimes we work our way back to the original topic, but very often we don't. When you notice that your question has led the speaker astray, take responsibility for getting the conversation back on track by saying something like, "It was great to hear about Alice, but tell me more about your adventure in Vermont.

If you feel sad when the person with whom you are talking expresses sadness, joyful when she expresses joy, fearful when she describes her fears—and convey those feelings through your facial expressions and words—then your effectiveness as a listener is assured. Empathy is the heart and soul of good listening. To experience empathy, you have to put yourself in the other person's place and allow yourself to feel what it is like to be her at that moment. This is not an easy thing to do.

It takes energy and concentration. But it is a generous and helpful thing to do, and it facilitates communication like nothing else does. Show that you understand where the speaker is coming from by reflecting the speaker's feelings.

Or just nod and show your understanding through appropriate facial expressions and an occasional well-timed "hmmm" or "uh huh. The idea is to give the speaker some proof that you are listening, and that you are following her train of thought—not off indulging in your own fantasies while she talks to the ether. In task situations, regardless of whether at work or home, always restate instructions and messages to be sure you understand correctly.

If you exclude email, the majority of direct communication is probably nonverbal. We glean a great deal of information about each other without saying a word.

Even over the telephone, you can learn almost as much about a person from the tone and cadence of her voice than from anything she says. When I talk to my best friend, it doesn't matter what we chat about, if I hear a lilt and laughter in her voice, I feel reassured that she's doing well. Face to face with a person, you can detect enthusiasm, boredom, or irritation very quickly in the expression around the eyes, the set of the mouth, the slope of the shoulders.

These are clues you can't ignore. When listening, remember that words convey only a fraction of the message. For at least one week, at the end of every conversation in which information is exchanged, conclude with a summary statement.

In conversations that result in agreements about future obligations or activities, summarizing will not only ensure accurate follow-through, it will feel perfectly natural. In conversations that do not include agreements, if summarizing feels awkward just explain that you are doing it as an exercise. It comes more natural to some, however it is something that needs to be practiced.

Overall, If you apply these skills you will see your relationships improve. Your email address will not be published. Full Name. Please Share With Your Friends! Related Post. Many people forget the second part.

Listening can be very challenging. It comes naturally to very few people, so to improve, you must be more intentional.

Why is listening worth the extra effort? When you make the effort to listen to someone, they recognize your interest. This makes them more comfortable sharing with you and being open.

Misunderstandings are one of the most common effects of poor communication. Poor listening skills are at the root of a lot of conflicts.

But distractions of any kind can pull our attention away. Distractions can be external, like noise in the surrounding environment, or internal, like being preoccupied with a problem. When distractions pull our attention away from the conversation, we stop listening and miss important information. So how can you listen effectively? Like anything else, listening is a skill and can be honed.

Here are a few tips and benefits of effective listening. Use your body language to convey that you are listening and paying attention.

Interrupting is disrespectful and insincere. Instead, listen to everything the other person says and respond appropriately.