Originally published on augustafreepress.com
The ability to communicate proactively is one of the most beneficial skills a leader or entrepreneur can have in the world of business. A significant element in the process of communication is the ability to listen effectively. Long-term communication is next to impossible to sustain in any situation without mastering listening skills.
Ferrari Energy states that enhancing listening skills will set anyone up for success in professional and personal circumstances. Though some people might seem to be naturally gifted with listening, anyone can learn how to listen actively and effectively, and here’s how:
1. Start by practicing physically
An excellent place to start when attempting to enhance listening skills is altering slight changes physically when engaging in conversation. When someone is approaching for conversation, strive to face the individual during the entire exchange and maintain eye contact. This will help decrease any tendency to accidentally look away and get distracted by something outside of the conversation while listening to someone. Facing the other individual the entire time helps to keep eye contact. If a person receives direct eye contact while communicating something, they feel heard, which leads to better outcomes from the verbal exchange and even relationship. Do not be tense when giving a person your attention, but instead relax your shoulders, present an open and interested posture, and engage in types of body language that show your level of engagement. Such body language would include nodding at the appropriate times, reacting with facial expressions like an acknowledging smile, or small verbal cues of encouragement like “yes” and “uh-huh” to stimulate the conversation forward.
2. Be mentally present
Staying mentally present can be difficult while listening when you have a lot on your mind. It is important to practice being present while listening and dedicate your total concentration to what the other party says. If your mind tends to wander while you listen, try to create images in your head based on the words you are hearing. Generating a mental model inside your mind will help you stay focused and concentrate on the conversation at hand. You can also focus your thoughts on the speaker’s tone of voice or emotions.
3. Respond with intent to listen to understand
To be an effective listener, you should listen to understand rather than listening to respond. Sometimes when you listen to respond, you tend to interrupt more with your opinion or finish the speaker’s sentences. Listening to understand allows for more proactive responses that engage you in the conversation, such as asking open-ended questions to better understand what is being communicated. Allow for a slight pause before providing feedback. Remember that an open mindset defers judgment because the words coming out of the speaker’s mouth are merely an attempt to interpret thoughts and feelings inside the brain.
About Ferrari Energy
Ferrari Energy is a mineral and leasehold acquisitions company founded by chemical engineer Adam Ferrari. The company focuses on empowering and partnering with landowners to ensure they understand the profits and benefits they can get from their land. Ferrari Energy provides numerous services, including engineering valuation and acquisition of mineral and leasehold rights, mineral title analysis, oil and gas lease review, and paystub analysis to confirm accurate well interests and payment amounts.