Raising your eyebrows every once in while. Moving slightly closer toward the person speaking to you. Smiling and laughing when it is appropriate. Tilting your head when hearing new or interesting information. Nodding your head if you agree or understand what someone is saying.
Turning off communication devices like cell phones is a polite and easy way to get rid of further distractions.
Since words only convey a fraction of the message, “listening” to body language cues can help you further understand what the speaker is trying to communicate besides what their words convey. [6] X Research source
You might not be knowledgeable or fascinated with every topic of discussion, but listening with the intent to learn offers other points of view different from your own, and a chance for you to grow as a listener.
Be open to the idea that your scope of seeing things may not be the only, or necessarily the best way of seeing the world.
For example, after someone has told you about a fight they had with their sister, you might empathize and say something like, “I get the sense that you are really angry about what was said, and I can see how her calling you those names would make you feel hurt at the same time. "
If someone seems to be really struggling to figure out what to do, and you have a suggestion that you think might genuinely help them, you should at least get the speaker’s permission and ask something like, “I might have an idea about how you can handle that. Do you want to hear it?"[11] X Research source
Acknowledging that listening is just as important speaking in a conversation. Hearing what somebody has to say is equally important as voicing your opinion to them. Being aware that listening is necessary for productive exchanges of information. Those who remember to prioritize listening create less confusion in a conversation, cause fewer misunderstandings, and misspeak less frequently. Understanding that listening to others is not only necessary, but all around beneficial for the betterment of the conversation. Always try to absorb some piece of new information when you encounter and interact with new people.
Anticipating. Paraphrasing. Differentiating fact from opinion. Interpreting tone.
Picking out individual words. Noting words of similar origin. Identifying placement patterns of words. “Identifying prefixes, roots, and suffixes”.
“What I have to say is more interesting and meaningful than what you have to say. ” “You and your opinion is less important than me and my opinion. ” “I don’t have time to hear how you think or feel. ” “What you have to say isn’t worth listening to. ” “I’m going to do whatever I can so I get to speak, regardless if you get your turn. ”[14] X Research source
Sometimes, the speaker mentions something that relates to ourselves, and we ask a question that leads the speaker to go off on a tangent. When you notice that you inadvertently caused your conversation partner to stray away from your original topic of conversation, get the conversation back on topic by saying something like, “I love hearing about your dog, but I want to hear more about what you were saying earlier with Kate starting high school. How is she liking it so far?”
Show your comprehension of what they’re saying by using expressive reactions like an understanding head nod, or looking concerned if the speaker says something alarming. , or asking questions if they talk about a new development in their lives. Provide verbal cues of encouragement to the speaker as they talk such as asking further questions, or saying something like, “Wow that’s so interesting. Tell me all about it. "
This does not apply to all cases of conversations, but this added effort shows that you were listening intently to your original conversation, and cared enough to check in.
