2. Don’t Interrupt. Give the speaker time to think as well as time to speak. A pause - even a long pause - does not always mean someone has finished saying everything he/she wishes to say.
3. Limit Your Own Talking. You may have to say "yes" or "I see" or ask a question. These show the speaker that you are still listening. But do not overdo it or interrupt with meaningless comments.
4. Practise Listening. You can do so by listening more carefully in your conversations with your friends, your family, your colleagues etc.
5. Take Your Mind Off Your Own Problems. This can be very difficult, but your own fears and worries can be a barrier that can distort the speaker's message.
6. Concentrate. Focus your mind on what is being said. Practise shutting out outside distractions. This is particularly important in the middle of a discussion when your mind can be more easily distracted.
7. Listen for the Ideas Behind the Words. You need to get the main ideas, even if the speaker presents them as just isolated bits and pieces of information. You may need to summarise what the speaker is saying to check that you have understood correctly.
8. Take Notes. This will help you to remember important facts and ideas. But limit your notes to key points. Trying to note down everything will interfere with your listening.
9. Think Like the Speaker. His/her needs are important, and you will understand a conversation and retain it better if you keep the speaker's point of view in mind.
10. Prepare in Advance. Remarks and questions prepared in advance, when possible, free your mind for listening. 11.Listen for Overtones You can learn a great deal about the speaker from the way he/she says things; the way he/she reacts to the things you say.
12. Think about the Purpose of what is being said. Why is it being said?
13. Remember that speaking clearly is a difficult skill Many people get less practice at presenting ideas than managers do. The speaker may use emotive or silly words or mannerisms. You should not allow this to irritate or to distract you. Concentrate on the content of what is being said, not its presentation or method of delivery.
14. Keep
an Open Mind It is very easy to assume or predict what the other person
will say, especially somebody you know well. You need to be flexible and
open-minded and listening to what is actually said.
