Lecture on Excellent Listening Skills

Importance of Good Listening

• Enhances relationships
• Develops worldview
• Can change people's minds

Core Aspects of Listening

• Interest in the speaker: Making them feel understood
• Attentiveness: Active engagement in the conversation
• Understanding: Demonstrating that you grasp their message
• Positive Intention: Showing goodwill towards the speaker

Key Behaviors for Active Listening

1. Remove Distractions

   • Turn off TV
   • Take off headphones
   • Put phone away (out of sight)
   • Visible phones lessen conversation intimacy

2. Avoid Interrupting

   • Do not interject unnecessarily
   • Ask open-ended questions during natural pauses
   • Examples: “What happened next?” or “How did that make you feel?”

3. Summarize and Confirm Understanding

   • Recap what was heard
   • Ask if anything was missed
   • Shows you're trying to understand, not waiting to talk

4. Stay Present

   • Avoid preparing responses while listening
   • Ask for repetition if focus is lost
   • Clarification indicates commitment to understanding

5. Embrace Silence

   • Take moments to formulate responses
   • Allows speaker to reflect on their thoughts

Benefits of Being Heard

• Improved relationship satisfaction, trust, and connection
• Less burnout in workplace
• Positive perception of managers

Challenges in Listening

• Difficult to listen if you disagree or dislike the speaker
• High-quality listening still beneficial in these scenarios

Psychological Theories

• Psychological Reactance: Forcing change makes people defensive
• High-Quality Listening: Promotes open-mindedness, non-judgmental atmosphere

Final Notes

• Open-minded listening isn't about agreement or happy resolutions
• Being heard can lead to deeper conversations