Five Tips for Improving Your Listening Skills

We are more connected now than ever before. Technology gives us the ability to access anyone, anywhere, at any time – all at the click of a button.

However, a recent study conducted by a global PR firm revealed that poor communication is currently costing businesses an estimated $37 billion dollars per year. By way of contrast, this same study found that companies with leaders who are able to communicate effectively produced a 47% higher return to shareholders over a 5-year period.

These numbers serve as a motivator to take a deeper look at improving organizational communication. What if I told you that your communication could be improved by communicating less, and listening more?

Listening is the key to all communication. Without the ability to listen effectively, messages are easily misunderstood. This creates breakdowns in productivity, collaboration, engagement, and morale.

If you would like to improve your personal and professional listening skills, the following 5 tips will support you in offering your full attention to the conversations that you have throughout the day:

1. Adopt an open body posture.

55% of effective communication is related to body language. Folding your arms, tapping your feet, and pursing your lips all communicate disinterest. Leaning forward with open posture, however, demonstrates that you are fully engaged in the conversation.

2. Make consistent eye contact.

It is important to hold a speaker’s gaze. Consistent eye contact communicates interest, understanding, and focus.

3. Fully engage.

Put away your cell phone and shut down your e-mail. Taking notes and paraphrasing what you’ve heard communicate that you are actively assimilating the information for the purpose of application.

4. Monitor your energy.

If you have a meeting after lunch or at the end of the day, grab a cup of coffee or sit in an upright chair. Nothing kills a conversation like droopy, heavy eyes.

5. Listen to understand.

Most of us listen to reply, rather than to truly understand. We may think we are masking our desire to change the subject or offer a quick fix; however, it is quite obvious to others that we are not fully engaged. Cultivating a genuine curiosity and interest in the views of others will create authentic dialogues that enhance productivity and results.

To be able to truly listen, you must make a conscious choice to be fully present in the moment. Given the amount of distractions we all face internally and externally at any given moment, this can prove to be quite challenging. However, improving your listening skills will result in better working relationships, better decisions, and a better bottom line.

As the former 20th century presidential advisor Bernard Baruch once noted: “Most of the successful people I’ve known are the ones who do more listening than talking.”