Ten Commandments for good listening

SHARED FROM:

Lyndon Jones, Effective listening, Education & Training, February, 1980

 

Ten Commandments for good listening

•        Stop talking!  Nature gave you two ears and one tongue - take the hint.

•        Prepare to listen as listening is an active process.

•        Put the talker at ease.

•        Remove distractions.  Don't doodle, tap, shuffle papers or permit phone calls.

•        Empathize with him.

•        Be patient. Do not interrupt.

•        Watch the emotionally charged words.

•        Avoid personal prejudice.

•        Listen to the tone in his voice.

•        Watch for non-verbal communications.  Gestures, facial expressions, body movements, eye-gaze direction and duration can all be important.