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11 Simple Strategies to Become a Better Listener In Your Personal and Professional Life
Are you a good listener? Or are you just good at pretending? You may think you’re a good listener, but the truth is that a good listener is rare indeed. That’s because listening is an art that takes time, effort, and practice. However, with patience and persistence, anyone can become a better listener.
When I was training to become a coach, I was told that if you do nothing else but listen, your clients will go away thinking you’re the best coach. This is because most people never have the opportunity to talk to someone who creates the space for them to be genuinely heard.
Here are 11 simple strategies that you can put into practice right away:
1. Make a conscious effort to listen.
It sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people go through life without really listening to what’s being said to them.
The next time someone is talking to you, make a conscious effort to pay attention and understand what they’re saying. If you are genuinely listening, you will not be thinking about your response, and you will not be judging what the person is saying.
You should try to be a “rock with ears” where you take everything in while you have as…
