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Ten Tips for Effective Listening

Posted 7 years ago

For many of us, talking can come pretty easy especially when it’s about something we’re interested in. But effective listening? That’s another story… Effective listening is more of a learned skill than a common characteristic. Learning how to listen effectively often brings with it greater leadership outcomes, better numbers for sales professionals, improved team dynamics and even improved hiring practices. But how do you actually develop your own effective listening abilities? There are excellent instruments like DISC and Emotional Intelligence assessments that can (among other things) help you become a better communicator. But what about a list of lifehacks specifically aimed at improving your own effective listening skills? You’re in luck! This week, hall-of-fame keynote speaker Dr. Tony Alessandra shares his ten tips for effective listening, guaranteed to enhance the professional outcomes associated with any interpersonal dynamic. Psst! Anything missing from this list? Share your tips with us in the comments section below and receive a complimentary DISC or Emotional Intelligence assessment!

Ten Tips for Effective Listening

by Dr. Tony Alessandra

You’ll listen better and be listened to if you practice these TIPS from Tony:
1. Let others tell their own stories first. By letting them speak first, you save time. When their interests are revealed you can tailor your discussion to their particular needs, goals, and objectives stop wasting time volleying of sentences that takes much longer to really hear someone. You’ll get your turn.
2. It is impossible to listen and talk at the same time. Not interrupting allows the other person to keep his/her train of thought. Why not wait until the speaker’s point is made? Then you will have your chance.
3. Listen for the main ideas. Specific facts are only important as they pertain to the main theme. Relate stated facts to the speaker.
Ask yourself: “What is the speaker getting at?” Or “What is his point?” Then get feedback. If you guess correctly, your understanding is enhanced, and your attention is increased. If you are incorrect, you learn from your mistake.
4. Fight off distractions. Train yourself to listen carefully to your customer’s words, despite such external distractions as a ringing telephone, passersby, or other office noise. Focus your attention on the words, ideas, feelings, and underlying intent. Improve your power of concentration, so that you can block out external and internal distractions and attend totally to the speaker.
5. React to the message, not the person. Don’t allow your mental impression of the speaker to influence your interpretation of his message. Good thoughts, concepts, and arguments can come from some of your least favorite people.
6. Use feedback. Constantly try to check your understanding of what you hear. Do not only hear what you want to hear.
7. Try not to be critical, either mentally or verbally, of the other person’s point of view. Allow the speaker plenty of time to fully finish his train of thought. You might find that what you were initially going to disagree with wasn’t such a bad idea after all. Keep an open mind.
8. Listen attentively. Face the speaker with uncrossed arms and legs; lean slightly forward. Establish eye contact. Use affirmative head nods and appropriate facial expressions when called for, but do not overdo it.
9. Create a positive listening environment. Shoot for a private atmosphere away from sources of distraction.
10. Ask questions. Ask openended questions to allow the speaker to express his feelings and thoughts. A simple yes or no is not enough. “How can I help you”? “Where do we go from here?” Clarifying questions seek information by restating the speaker’s remarks. The effective use of questions also allows you to contribute to the conversation.

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effective listeningDr. Tony Alessandra has a street-wise, college-smart perspective on business, having been raised in the housing projects of NYC to eventually realizing success as a graduate professor of marketing, internet entrepreneur, business author, and hall-of-fame keynote speaker. He earned a BBA from Notre Dame, a MBA from the Univ. of Connecticut and his PhD in marketing from Georgia State University (1976).
Known as “Dr. Tony” he’s authored 30+ books and 100+ audio/video programs. He was inducted into the NSA Speakers Hall of Fame (1985) and Top Sales World’s Hall of Fame (2010).  Meetings & Conventions Magazine has called him “one of America’s most electrifying speakers”.
Dr. Tony is also the Founder/CVO of  Assessments 24×7.  Assessments 24×7 is a global leader of online DISC assessments, delivered from easy-to-use online accounts popular with business coaches and Fortune 500 trainers around the world.  Interested in learning more about these customized assessment accounts? Please contact us.