Listening is the foundation of any productive conversation.
- It is easy to fall into a pattern of projecting your own issues and experiences onto other people’s words.
- We read into things they say based on our own inner-dialogue or try to figure them out based on what we know by our own motives.
- We give advice or reply based on our own frame of reference.
- Unless we are listening our conversation can turn into just two people giving speeches
Listening is very important because everyone looks at the world through different eyes.
- Our different cultural backgrounds and life experiences have shaped the way we think and feel.
- Some of us come from a scarcity mentality and others from an abundance mentality.
Transcending the limits of our individual perceptions is critical to reaching a higher level of communication and will thus improve our quality of life.
Re-source: Receptive
We are aiming for empathic listening
- This is the type of listening that puts you in the other person’s head and in their frame of reference.
- So you truly understand what they’re feeling and get what they’re saying.
Benefits of listening empathically
- You get trust and greater openness
- You get exact information of what is going on, rather than just projecting your issues and acting on assumptions.
- Allows you to create true and lasting communication and resolution
Like almost everything, highly empathic listening is a skill and can be improved with practice.
- Paying attention to other people’s body language gives insight to how they are feeling.
- Small gestures can make a big difference on how one is perceived and can go a long way in conveying authenticity and interest.
- Smiling is a powerful tool that puts people at ease
- Are arms uncrossed and posture open to invite conversation and interaction
- Maintaining eye contact (someone who isn’t looking you in the eye is avoiding something)
craving and resource from ““Unlimited” – How to build an exceptional life – by Jillian Michaels
