8 Ways to Master the Art of Effective Listening

Balaji ViswanathanNalandaU.com

You're short on ears and long on mouth. -- John Wayne

Why listening Matters?

• Listening is a crucial element of teamwork and essential to succeed in any corporate environment.

• Most of the learning in a corporate environment comes from these unwritten rules, learned through listening.

• Listening helps bonding with teammates and build lasting relationships.

1. Relax. Have an adequate rest before an important meeting. Don’t show up tired.

2. Cut the Chord

Leave your phone and laptop in your desk when you are required to listen.

3. Keep a physical notepad. Jot stuff periodically to keep you engaged.

This will reduce your urge to interrupt the speaker and also provide you a better organization.

4. Slightly lean forward. This will show you are listening & also keep you committed.

5. Pay attention to body languageMost of what we communicate is non-verbal. Watch out for these non-verbal signals.

6. Make a Conscious effort to Retain Eye Contact with the Speaker

7. Try paraphrasing & summarizing the content in smaller meetings.

8. Try to avoid nitpicking on speaker’s mannerisms. Cut them some slack.

Listening in meetings can especially be boring. However, surviving them is key to your corporate survival.