Team Building Tips

How many times have you heard a person tell someone they are an excellent communicator after hearing them speak? What people often forget is that speaking well is only one half of being an effective communicator. The other half is being a good listener. This is often the harder part.

People can be very "me centered" when listening to others, either they ignore, pretend to listen or selectively listen. It is the rare person who is "you centered" and practices empathetic listening.

Communicating doesn't come second nature, to be done well, it is a learned art. The following are three things that will improve your listening abilities:

  An attitude of caring more for what the other person is saying than for your own thoughts and concerns.

The ability to maintain your concentration on what is being said and not let your mind wander.

To fill in the gaps of your understanding through questioning and thinking about what is being said.

It has been said, "One of the highest compliments you can pay another person is to acknowledge that what he/she has to say is of value, to listen."

Learning to become an effective listener pays big dividends in your relationships with others. By actively listening to another person you pay the ultimate compliment. Your listening has shown that what they have to say is important. It increases their feeling of self-worth.

Commit To The Following:

  Listen; don't just hear what others are saying.

Maintain eye contact with the speaker.

Don't Interrupt! Let the person talk.

Renée Eaton is a Communications Specialist for the business consulting company BizXcel which publishes Generating Greatness, the bi-weekly ezine for business professionals. If you are ready to push your business to new heights, make more money, save time and improve productivity, then get your FREE tips now at http://www.bizxcel.com