ESSAY QUIZ DUE IN 24 HOURS

Information taken from Corporate Finance Institute

(CFI)

web

site at

https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/careers/soft

-

skills/improve

-

your

-

listening

-

skills/#:~:text=Five%20ways%20to%20improve%20your%20listening%20skills%201,a%20pict

ure%20or%

20an%20arrangement%20of%20abstract%20concepts

.

How to Improve Your Listening Skills?

Having effective listening skills means being able to display interest in the topic discussed and

understand the information provided. In today’s society,

the ability to communicate effectively

is becoming increasingly important. Although the ability to speak effectively is a highly sought

-

after skill, developing effective listening skills is often not regarded in the same respect.

In fact, listening is just

as important as speaking. Being a good listener helps solve problems,

resolve

conflicts,

and improve

relationships

. In the workplace, effective listening contributes to

fewer errors, less wasted time, and improved accuracy. Effective listening helps build

friendships and

careers

.

Five ways to improve your listening skills

1. Face the speaker and give them your attention

:

It is difficult to talk to someone who is constantly

lookin

g around. Make sure to face the speaker, maintain eye contact, and give them your undivided

attention. In Western cultures, eye contact is necessary for effective communication. Although shyness,

uncertainty, or

cultural taboos

may inhibit eye contact, try your best to make sure the speaker knows

that they have your full attention.

2. Keep an open mind

:

Do not judge or mentally criticize what the speaker is telling you. Doing so can

compromise

your ability to take in what is being said. Never exhibit judgmental behavior, as it

compromises your effectiveness as a listener. You can evaluate what was said after the speaker is

finished talking, but don’t do so while you are still listening to them.

Let the speaker finish what they are saying and don’t be a sentence

-

grabber. Interrupting the speaker or

prohibiting them from finishing what they are saying can indicate disrespect to the speaker. Often,

interrupting the speaker mid

-

sentence interrupts t

heir train of thought and can easily destroy a

productive conversation.

3. Active listening

:

Active listening shows the speaker that you’re interested and is an important

business communication skill. Using active listening techniques helps to ensure that

you correctly

understand what is said.

Active listening techniques:

·

Paraphrasing back to the speaker what was said, to show understanding

·

Nonverbal cues (nodding, eye contact, etc.)

·

Verbal affirmations (“I understand,”

“I know,” “Thank you,” etc.)

·

Demonstrating concern and establishing rapport

4. Just listen!

-

Create a mental model of the information, whether it be a picture or an

arrangement of abstract concepts. Listen to keywords and phrases and do not rehearse what

you are going to say after the speaker is done talking. Think about what the other person is

saying rather than what you are going to respond with. It is difficult to think of what you are

going to say while also listening to the speaker. Be attentive and

relaxed

–

don’t get distracted

by your own thoughts and feelings.

Information taken from Corporate Finance Institute (CFI) website at

https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/careers/soft-skills/improve-your-listening-

skills/#:~:text=Five%20ways%20to%20improve%20your%20listening%20skills%201,a%20picture%20or%

20an%20arrangement%20of%20abstract%20concepts.

How to Improve Your Listening Skills?

Having effective listening skills means being able to display interest in the topic discussed and

understand the information provided. In today’s society, the ability to communicate effectively

is becoming increasingly important. Although the ability to speak effectively is a highly sought-

after skill, developing effective listening skills is often not regarded in the same respect.

In fact, listening is just as important as speaking. Being a good listener helps solve problems,

resolve conflicts, and improve relationships. In the workplace, effective listening contributes to

fewer errors, less wasted time, and improved accuracy. Effective listening helps build

friendships and careers.

Five ways to improve your listening skills

1. Face the speaker and give them your attention: It is difficult to talk to someone who is constantly

looking around. Make sure to face the speaker, maintain eye contact, and give them your undivided

attention. In Western cultures, eye contact is necessary for effective communication. Although shyness,

uncertainty, or cultural taboos may inhibit eye contact, try your best to make sure the speaker knows

that they have your full attention.

2. Keep an open mind: Do not judge or mentally criticize what the speaker is telling you. Doing so can

compromise your ability to take in what is being said. Never exhibit judgmental behavior, as it

compromises your effectiveness as a listener. You can evaluate what was said after the speaker is

finished talking, but don’t do so while you are still listening to them.

Let the speaker finish what they are saying and don’t be a sentence-grabber. Interrupting the speaker or

prohibiting them from finishing what they are saying can indicate disrespect to the speaker. Often,

interrupting the speaker mid-sentence interrupts their train of thought and can easily destroy a

productive conversation.

3. Active listening: Active listening shows the speaker that you’re interested and is an important

business communication skill. Using active listening techniques helps to ensure that you correctly

understand what is said.

Active listening techniques:

 Paraphrasing back to the speaker what was said, to show understanding

 Nonverbal cues (nodding, eye contact, etc.)

 Verbal affirmations (“I understand,” “I know,” “Thank you,” etc.)

 Demonstrating concern and establishing rapport

4. Just listen! - Create a mental model of the information, whether it be a picture or an

arrangement of abstract concepts. Listen to keywords and phrases and do not rehearse what

you are going to say after the speaker is done talking. Think about what the other person is

saying rather than what you are going to respond with. It is difficult to think of what you are

going to say while also listening to the speaker. Be attentive and relaxed – don’t get distracted

by your own thoughts and feelings.