+ Keep their mouth shut! A good listener has an open mind and a shut mouth. + Focuson the speaker (make eye contact). This shows that you're paying attention. + Make occasional minor facial/head gestures if/as needed (smile, frown, nod)... but not overdo it (as in intensity). This shows sympathy + Not squirm around - whether sitting or standing. A good listener is courteous to the speaker, not worrying about their "problems" + Not cross their arms (or take any other kind of defensive posture). Regardless of what some may say, no one likes talking to someone with crossed arms. + Listen!
Listening: That includes hearing. Really hearing what someone is saying. You have to hear what they don't actually say too. That does not include formulating a response while the other person is speaking. It does include understanding basic body language.
I used to teach a Listening Skills class at the corporate level. It was a popular class because it wasn't geared toward any segment of the corporate employee universe.......this one can help everyone.
This post was edited by Thriftymaid at March 1, 2019 4:59 PM MST
Having ears like an African Ellephant would be a good start ....They can hear other elephants low volume sounds made 120 miles away..... An English women wildlife person discovered how they communicated about 30 years ago roughly.. She was standing near the Elephant enclosure at London Zoo in Regents Park and could feel the low vibrations as they made their silent noise...:)
That's a female trait you're thinking off and we use it automatically with out thinking .... The medical term for it is Selective Hearing and often refered to publicly as Talk to the Hand :)
Benedict Arnold 