Tips to improve your listening skills

Here are four useful tips to improve your listening skills.

1. Have a keen desire to listen.
Focus your attention on the speaker. Do not be easily distracted by the surrounding environment. Instead, pay close attention to what the speaker wants to say. You must make him or her feel important.

2. Don't pass judgement.
Whether you agree or disagree with the speaker, don't pass judgement. You need to understand the situation he or she is in, and see the point from his or her perspective.

3. Use body language.
When listening, do not just stand motionless without displaying any gestures.

Your smile, your nod, eye contact, and other non-verbal communication signs must transmit various messages to the speaker. Show that you are really listening, with feelings, and be sincere about it.

4. Practice, Practice, Practice.
We are not born with excellent listening skills. You need to practise most of the time.

The more you practise, the better listener you become. Ultimately, you can be a good listener!