How To Become A Powerful Listener

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Are you a good listener?  How much of what's communicated do you internalize? Many people believe they are good listener, but just stop for a moment and think; how would the following people rate you as a listener – your best friend, your wife, your husband, your boss and your teacher?

Though you may think someone is listening when you are talking but the follow-up comments would reveal he/she isn’t listening 100%. Listening can also be difficult if we’re tired, bored, in a hurry, confused or can’t make out or understand what the other person is saying.

Listening is a prerequisite for understanding and understanding is essential for a leader to motivate and influence others. Powerful leaders are active listeners.

Top key steps to becoming a Powerful Listener:

• Remove all distraction


• Listen logically – stay emotionally detached and listen for facts, ideas and details


• Being present


• Don’t assume


• Clarify to ensure you got what the person is saying


• Listen between the lines for hidden meanings


• Ask question


• Respect the person


• Stimulate the speaker – nod your head, lean forward, keep good eye contact and concentrate totally


• Observe non-verbal clues


• Don’t pre-judge – keep an open mind


• Don’t interrupt or jump in with an answer or solution