Amidst this Global crisis and to keep up with the pace of life of Globalization and Industrialization, has it ever crossed our mind that even the smallest of the things are sure to make a very huge amount of difference in our lives. Do we ever realize the point of departure of our thoughts when it comes to expressing them?
Speed being the trending phrase of the 21st century and the huge concern of the present times, not for it’s goods but for the challenges it beholds. When the world is on the verge of an apocalyptic change, is it not imperative to dig deep about the different forms in which man becomes an object of depletion of his environment and the surroundings? The world runs through different types of communication. Would you Imagine a child given all the luxuries and comforts of life and stays alone without any interpersonal communication, and the child who strives hard to achieve the smallest of the goals in life. The former child when exposed to the realities of the outer world, will not be able to cope up with the hard pace of life , the struggles, the skills to survive the challenges. However, the child may likely be sustainable to the onslaught of the cruelty but it would not be able to have a Confident spirit.
Communication is the key to survival. In order to communicate, we ought to learn the four very important skills- Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing, the LSRW skills that comprise the Receptive and the Productive Skills as the basic tenets of expression. It, being one the most essential quality of communication, is also an important skill that we must try to learn, because how well you listen gives a major impact on how well you speak! Also, how well you listen has a major control on your effectiveness, it has a very good exposition to how well do you share your relationship with the other people, for instance, to talk about the objectives of listening means that we listen to obtain information, to understand, to explore, to learn and most importantly, we listen to enjoy and to have an exposure to speaking.
Listening as a skill can benefit us in many ways. By improving our listening skills and by becoming a better listener, an individual can help improve their own productivity as well as their influence, their ways and techniques to persuade and negotiate. In addition to all these power-packed qualities, Listening in an active way helps avoid conflict and misunderstandings, all of which are necessary foe workplace success and progress!
Being an active listener - Acing Active Listening
The Universal fact needs to be taken into account by all of us. We need to keep in mind that, during a conversation or any form of vocal or verbal communication, it is imperative that “No two minds meet necessary!” You can agree with a person, even when you disagree with them. Because, disagreeing with a respectable manner can prevent conflicts and further turmoil- the Art of Active Listening!
The magical aspect of listening actively is that it makes others think that you agree with them even if you do not. It is important to avoid active listening as an actions rather than really listening to learn. Active Listening may also be a better thing to practice Mindful Listening, when in times you find yourself lose focus regularly, due to either some distractions or due to some tensions.
Requisites of being an active listener
Also, there are some very interesting tips and techniques that you can acquire in order to become an active listener that would further help you with your career as well as your social life. The key ways that you can use to become an effective listener and eventually an effective communicator are as follows-
Paying Attention to what is being said- To give the speaker a security that you are listening properly, you need to give them your undivided attention and also acknowledge the message they give. To show that you’re giving them all your ears and eyes, you must look straight into the speaker, put aside distracting thoughts, do not start initializing rebuttals and “listen” to the body language of the speaker. Make sure to lock it that non-verbal communication also speaks loudly.
Show that you’re Listening- You must try to listen carefully, plus show that you’re Listening, through your gestures and posture. To show that you are actively Listening and seeking their knowledge, you must try to give Nods occasionally, smile and other encouraging facial expressions. Also, do not forget to put comments in between like “yes”, “hmm”, etc. that do not interrupt what they have to say.
Provide Feedback- It is quite important when you give your comments and summarize what has been said, either through paraphrasing or through occasionally reflecting by saying that “ Sounds like you are saying..” or “Does it imply...”.
Giving a rest to rebuttals- Respond Appropriately In order to understand the speaker's point of view, first try to listen carefully, after that please inform the listener about what is being said, and most importantly, please do not try interrupting the speaker, speak either when you are asked to or when you wish to add something very important.
Conclusion
It takes a lot of concentration and determination to learn when you listen actively. Building rapport, trust and understanding is what encompasses active listening. Being open on learning something that is new and interesting can help you focus on what the other person has to say or saying which is mostly done by restating so often by paraphrasing what you heard in your own words, summarizing and using minimal encouragers, by reflecting and giving feedback, probing questions to get more meaningful information, seeking validation and acknowledging the problems, issues and feelings and most importantly through the art of questioning, of using open-ended and reflective questions.
Old Deals are really tough to break but breaking them can help us Seal the Deal!
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