There is a close link between respect for another person's viewpoint and effective communication. The most successful people those who communicate well and regularly. They try to understand how others feel, and they respect their feelings. As a result, they accomplish more and have more satisfying relationships.
Unfortunately, most people are not very good at active listening. Active listening is when you set aside your own thoughts, and pay exclusive attention to what the other person is saying. But most of us have our own agendas, and when we talk to someone, we are concentrating not on what they are saying, but on what our next response will be. Therefore, we miss a big chunk of what the other person is trying to communicate.
Language is not the only element you should pay close attention to in communication. Body language provides an abundance of clues as to how the other person really feels. For example, a person might be saying that they agree with you, but their body language may be telling you that they are uncomfortable with your idea and don't want to be part of it.
Here are six points to help you listen actively:
* Be interested and not interesting
* Listen to and not against. Evaluate, don't value judge.
* Be alert for what will not be said. Read facial expressions and body language.
* Grasp feelings and content.
* Paraphrase what the other person says back to them. This will help ensure that you've understood their message.
* When you respond, match the other person's tempo and tone.
Most importantly, don't forget humor. Laughter is great at relieving tension. If we can't laugh occassionally, especially at ourselves, we are in trouble. Laughter clears the air and lets you get on with the issue at hand.
One of the reasons listening is such a powerful tool for your success is because listening builds trust. The more you listen to the other person, the more he or she will trust and believe in you.
Finally, listening builds self-confidence. It takes tremendous self-mastery and self-control to keep your attention focused on the other person. If you don't practice self-discipline in conversation, your mind will wander in a hundred different directions. The more you discipline yourself to pay close attention to what the other person is saying, the more disciplined and self-controlled you will become. By learning to listen well, you will be developing your own character and personality.
All contents Copyright (c) 2004 Joe Love and JLM & Associates, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide.
Joe Love draws on his 25 years of experience helping both individuals and companies build their businesses, increase profits, and achieve total success. A former ad agency executive and marketing consultant, Joe's work in personal development focuses on helping his clients identify hidden marketable assets that create windfall opportunities and profits, as well as sound personal happiness and peace.
Joe can be reached at: joe@jlmandassociates.com
Read more articles and newsletters at: http://www.jlmandassociates.com/
Creating a goal tracking chart is as simple as drawing... Read More
Why do so many of us lack belief in ourselves?... Read More
There are two things that will determine your success or... Read More
Your Head, think about what you want and move towards... Read More
I call the following seven belief lies of success, taking... Read More
The ultimate expression of life is not a paycheck. The... Read More
What are your fears? Fear of failure? Fear of success?What... Read More
Courage is something that is reflected and reciprocated, and is... Read More
Hope you're having a GREAT Day!Last night I was reading... Read More
What if?you could have it all? 6 Steps to Living... Read More
People have a tremendous capacity for outstanding achievement. There are... Read More
Napoleon Hill, the famous inspirational writer, once met a reader... Read More
What is an ANT? An ANT is an acronym for... Read More
To take the online road to success is not, contrary... Read More
If you're so smart, why ain't you rich?Becoming a millionaire... Read More
Each human being, who exists above the level of simple... Read More
Our brain is a marvelous creation. It receive and transmit... Read More
We all want success. You do. So do I. Some... Read More
Dare to Dream~It is said that every person has at... Read More
Success! Easy to talk about, but difficult to achieve. Or... Read More
The most important quality you can ever develop is having... Read More
In my private practice for the past 13+ years I... Read More
We all know as we are progressing towards our personal... Read More
Ok, let me tell you what I mean.As some of... Read More
Routinely, I rise out of bed before the birds, and... Read More
Choose a personal theme song and soundtrack that stirs you... Read More
Have you ever heard this? "It isn't whether you win... Read More
Measure twice, cut once Just as in carpentry, making sure... Read More
If it comes to the question what we really want... Read More
I confess, I love westerns. There is nothing like those... Read More
We set goals, strive for them and only consider ourselves... Read More
What with the millions of words printed every day about... Read More
Not so long ago, I impressed the daylights out of... Read More
Have you ever thought about how you want to live,... Read More
It's not new news. It's not some ethereal theory. It's... Read More
Ask yourself the following:1. I have created a life-strategy plan... Read More
I prefer to call the challenges, obstacles, side-tracks, and barriers... Read More
(excerpted from the book Seven Strategies for Wealth and Happiness)Wouldn't... Read More
The ability to achieve our enormous untapped potential is directly... Read More
A few weeks ago I took my boy on a... Read More
Perfect the fine art of the end run From time... Read More
Success, in the dictionary, is defined as, "The achievement of... Read More
Here is a great way to create affirmations that may... Read More
Self-improvement; A great deal has been written on the subject,... Read More
The power went out. Again!I looked out my second story... Read More
Take a page from Eastern wisdom Meditation, martial arts that... Read More
1. Open your mind to new ideas: Positive behavior change... Read More
Do you remember when you were a child and no... Read More
In the film 'The Rock', Sean Connery takes a dim... Read More
(Excerpted From The Jim Rohn One-Year Success Plan - Pillar... Read More
Want more success in your business or professional life? Here's... Read More
Greatness is all around us. From Oprah to Bill Gates... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Are you getting frustrated because the work you continue to... Read More
Be weary and leery when it comes to standardized tests... Read More
Smile brings beauty to your face, charm to your personality... Read More
What does "Lessons from My Garden" have to do with... Read More
You've tried and failed. You've watched others fall. You're wiped... Read More
1)Failure is normal.Everyone has faced failure. Some people talk about... Read More
One of the greatest compliments I ever received in my... Read More
Choose "impossible" goals When faced with a hard-to-reach goal, your... Read More
Did you see or hear about 'The Masters' golf tournament... Read More
If you ask most people whether they would like to... Read More
"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in... Read More
Walt Disney coined a special phrase for persistence and determination;... Read More
Jack Nichlaus was asked if there are really talented golfers... Read More
Success |