EC LISTENING SKILLS

Listening is a skill which is seldom taught/learnt/practiced in academic/family/social environments. But in relationship building and management listening holds the key. To be good at listening one should do all these things:

1. Ask questions in an encouraging/supporting way to get more details; questions show interest in the speaker and the topic being mentioned.

2. There should be minimal interruptions when a person is sharing an experience/emotion/idea/information.

3. The environment for conversation should be safe, secure, friendly and peaceful.

4. The listener can provide sufficient breaks to the speaker by paraphrasing what he/she has already said. 

5. Use a five O' clock posture while listening.

6. Maintain eye contact to show strong emotions/empathy/acceptance/responsibility/full engagement with listening but don't overreact.

7. Nurture the conversation by making the other person feel free to open his/her mind by asking open ended questions like "How was the experience...please describe" and not close ended questions like "How did you come here...by bus/car/auto/on foot"

8. The listener should not advise at any point. That breaks the rhythm of the conversations. The listener can give options according to his/her understanding of the situation.

9. The listener should act as a friend, philosopher and guide.

10. The listener can make the conversation a never before experience to the other person through compassionate, affectionate, appreciative and above all a non judgemental listening.

TO BE CONTINUED...