The Lost Art of Listening - Part 2

Effective communication requires effective listening. In fact, often times, listening is more important in speaking in order to negotiate well with others. Many salespersons learn this the hard way - they make flowery presentation, only to be blown off without so much as a second thought. But if they had only let their customers tell them what their problems were, they would probably be able to sell them anything.

Listening is really quite simple, yet most of us haven't mastered it. Why? I think is probably because of the connotation of keeping silent. To many people, it implies impassivity, being lost for words and so on. Also, it hard keeping your mouth shut. Everyone wants to be heard. So in the cacophony of voices, nobody does. But what were if you are one of the few who listened closely to what others had to say? What valuable information would you earn?

So where do you start if you truly want to develop your listening skills?

Firstly, cultivate the desire to listen. Accept the fact that listening skill is your strongest weapon. Given the opportunity, the other person will tell you everything you need to know. Try this out, very soon,you find yourself hanging on every words that flies out of other people's mouth.

Always let the other people do the talking. This is simple matter of mathematics. Try listening about 70% of the time and talking 30% of the time.

Now the theory is simple enough, but in practice. you will find that in many points, during the other people's speech, you'll feel the desire to interrupt.There will be points that you disagree with and you think that you should speak then you forever hold your peace. That not always true. In fact, most of the time, we regret saying the things we say. So always resist the temptation to interrupt. When you give in, all you do is to cut off the free flowing info.

Learn to listen actively. Now is crucial, since hearing someone is vastly different from listening to someone. And people can tell. Most people spend so much time regaling others with their stories that they keenly aware when the audience is sleeping with their eyes open. And if there is something worse than not listening, its pretending to listen. Then you lost your prospect forever.

The art of listening is a very fine one. It takes expert communicator to do it well and convincingly too. Look out for my next blog on tips to improve your effective listening.