1) In today's high-tech, high-speed, high-stress world,
communication is more important then ever, yet we seem to devote
less and less time to really listening to one another. Here are 10
tips that can improve your listening skill
- Face the speaker and maintain eye
contact.
- Be attentive, but relaxed.
- Keep an open mind.
- Listen to the words and try to picture what the speaker
is saying.
- Don't interrupt and don't impose your
"solution".
- Wait for the speaker to pause to ask clarifying
questions.
- Ask questions only to ensure
understanding.
- Try to feel what the speaker is feeling.
- Give the speaker regular feedback.
- Pay attention to what isn't said to nonverbal
cues.
2) Here are some of the key benefits of listening
everyday
- Key to
communication: Listening is important part of any
conversation. It helps to better understand the view point of the
other party or the speaker.
- Shows maturity
and respect: It shows maturity and respect to the speaker or
the other parties involved in the conversation.
- Resolves
issues: Good listening helps with resolving issues. Many of
the problems can be solved by understanding the viewpoints of
everybody involved.
- Builds
relationship: Communication is the basis of any
relationship. Active and effective listening helps with
communication and as a result, leads to better relationships and
friendships.
- Personal
development: Better listening leads to a more complete
day-to-day life. A good listener always comes across as a wise
person, who can understand and empathize with others. The good
listening skills leads to more meaningful relations and less
frustrating situations in our daily life.
3) The basic stages of listening are: Receiving,
understanding, remembering, evaluation, and responding this makes
the listener easier to concentrate on what is being said and also
motivates the speaker to speak, making it easier for the speaker to
deliver the message. An active listener not only comprehends the
message better but is also in a better position to remember and
recall the message.