Effective communication requires active listening. But it is difficult to remain engaged, for the simple fact that your brain processes words 5 times faster than people speak them. This podcast provides many techniques which will dramatically improve your engagement and therefore understanding of what is said.

The topic of Communication Skills is a vast topic.  It includes both visual, auditory and kinaesthetics parts which can be broken down into words or body language, touch, feeling and so on and so forth.  It’s a very interesting topic and it’s something, which is very important for any executive, manager and indeed the people that work for them.

I have looked at communication skills in the past with some ideas on how to introduce people, in fact that was the very first podcast I did.  We have spoken about the tone of your voice, particularly during presentations and meetings and it is valid for other situations. In some of the listening skills which I talk about that, I am going to give particular emphasis upon people who are using English as a second language, because those people need a little bit of extra help when it comes to active listening in a language which is not their mother tongue.

Listening Skills

* The Greatest and Easiest Gift

* Listen Intently + Focus on Every Word

* Genuine Interest ( A Choice )

* Result = Feel Respected, Greater Self Esteem, Feel Important

* Problem – Our Mouth vs Our Brains

* Solution = Active Effort

* 80% Listen 20% Speak

* Speak to Clarify, Demonstrate Understanding by Paraphrasing

* How to Improve Your Focus?

* Choice of Words, Emphasis, Tone, Silences, Repetitions, Body Lanaguage

* Adopt the Listening Position – Meetings !

* Other Tricks:

* Listen in Real Time

* Listen with your Ears and Eyes ( Some say Heart too: No)

* Give Phatic Feedback but Be Comfortable with Silence

* Smile, Nod, Frown, Laugh

* Make Notes

* Don’t Interupt Unless to Encourage Bottom Line First

* Pause Before Replying

* The Above Helps Your Listening and Understanding Not the Reasons

* Emotions

* Feelings etc

* Too Busy / Difficult to Be Concerned about Reasons

 

Questioning Skills

* Practising Questions is Crucial

* In English the grammar is tough !

* It Gives others the Opportunity to Express Themselves

* Three Types of Questions:

* Open Ended Non Specific – “Tell me about…”, or “Describe…”

* Encourage Speaker to Talk, to Open up and Saves Energy

* Open Ended Specific – “Who, What, Where, When, Why”

* Acquire Specific Information

* Closed Questions

* Check Understanding

* Never Be Afraid to Ask – Don’t Ever Feel Stupid !

 

Gossip and/or Negativity

* Almost Everyone Gossips at Some Point

* But Given the Negative Connotation it can cause Upset and Disruption – Office Affairs

* Spreading Gossip or Negative Information Creates Resentment

* As the Boss Never be Part of It:

* Example: Extra Workload.

* Example: Old Colleagues.

* Gossip can be Professional, Helpful,