What are some active listening strategies that can help you build a strong network?

2 How to prepare for active listening

Before you engage in a conversation with someone, you need to prepare yourself for active listening. This means that you need to clear your mind of any distractions, biases, or assumptions that might interfere with your attention or understanding. You also need to set a positive intention for the conversation, such as learning something new, building a connection, or offering help. Finally, you need to choose a suitable environment for the conversation, where you can minimize any noise, interruptions, or barriers that might affect your listening.

3 How to demonstrate active listening

During the conversation, you need to demonstrate active listening by using both verbal and non-verbal cues. Verbal cues include using open-ended questions, paraphrasing, summarizing, reflecting, and affirming what the speaker says. These cues can help you to clarify, confirm, and acknowledge the speaker's message, as well as to encourage them to elaborate or share more. Non-verbal cues include using eye contact, facial expressions, gestures, and posture that show your interest, empathy, and respect for the speaker. These cues can help you to convey your attention, engagement, and rapport with the speaker.

4 How to avoid common listening pitfalls

While active listening can help you to improve your networking skills, there are some common pitfalls that you need to avoid. These pitfalls include interrupting, judging, arguing, advising, or dominating the conversation. These behaviors can make the speaker feel unheard, misunderstood, or disrespected, and can damage your relationship with them. Instead of falling into these pitfalls, you need to practice patience, curiosity, openness, and humility when listening to others. You also need to be aware of your own emotions, reactions, and biases, and how they might affect your listening.

5 How to follow up after active listening

After the conversation, you need to follow up with the speaker to show that you value their time and input. You can do this by sending a thank-you note, a feedback, or a recommendation that relates to the conversation. You can also offer your assistance, support, or referral if relevant and appropriate. Additionally, you can keep in touch with the speaker by following up on any action items, updates, or opportunities that arise from the conversation. By following up, you can strengthen your network and maintain a positive impression.

6 How to practice and improve active listening

Active listening is a skill that requires constant practice and improvement. You can practice active listening by seeking out opportunities to have meaningful conversations with different people, such as your colleagues, clients, mentors, or friends. You can also ask for feedback from others on how well you listen and communicate, and identify your strengths and areas for improvement. Furthermore, you can improve your active listening by reading, watching, or listening to various sources of information, and applying the active listening strategies that you have learned.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?