Listening: One of Your Most Important Skills

If you really want to improve your relationships, then there is one skill that you need to work on. And you need to do it now. Hello! Are you listening to me?

If you are like a lot of people, then you have a lot going on. Multitasking has become second nature. The problem is that our brains can’t really handle it. In fact, research has found that we aren’t great at multitasking. And, interestingly, if you think you are really good at multitasking, then you probably are not!

One specific activity that may pay the price when we try to multitask instead of focus on just one thing is listening. To strengthen any relationship, it is very important that the other person knows you are interested and engaged. If you cannot focus on what the other person is saying, then it is going to be very hard to convince them that you are invested in the relationship. This is true whether it is a personal relationship or a working relationship.

To help you build your relationships, here are some tips to help you be a good listener:

Concentrate. Make it a habit to work at paying attention to what is being said.

Make eye contact. You don’t have to stare without blinking, but you should maintain eye contact throughout the conversation.

Use your body. Turn toward the person you are talking to.

Ask questions and repeat important ideas. Repetition is a great way to remember things. Repeat what the other person says by asking a question about it or restating it to make sure you understand the idea and intent.

Don’t interrupt. You probably learned this when you were young. It is still true.

Put away your phone.