How to Build Good Habits to Improve Your Listening Skills

Becoming a better listener is a valuable skill that can improve your professional relationships and leadership skills. Here are some habit-forming ways to improve your listening and retention competency:

1. Remove Distractions: It's important to remove distractions such as phones, laptops, or other interruptions that may prevent you from focusing on the speaker to become a better listener.

2. Be Genuine: Show the speaker that you are genuinely interested in what they have to say by maintaining eye contact, nodding, and providing verbal cues such as "I see" or "Go on" to encourage them to continue sharing.

3. Practice Empathy: Try understanding the speaker's perspective and emotions by putting yourself in their shoes. Show empathy by acknowledging their feelings and validating their experiences.

4. Avoid Interrupting: Allow the speaker to express their thoughts without interrupting. Avoid interjecting with your opinions or experiences until the speaker has finished sharing.

5. Ask Clarifying Questions: To demonstrate that you are actively listening, ask clarifying questions to ensure understanding of the speaker's message, thus showing that you are engaged and interested in the conversation.

6. Reflect Before Engaging: Reflecting on what the speaker has said in your own words can demonstrate that you are actively processing and understanding their message. It also shows the speaker that you are fully engaged in the conversation.

7. Practice Mindfulness: Engage in mindfulness techniques to improve your ability to focus and be present in the moment. Mindfulness can help you become a more attentive listener and reduce internal distractions.

8. Identify Improvement: Identify areas you can improve and create goals for progress.

By implementing these strategies, you can enhance your listening skills, build stronger connections with others, and improve your leadership skills.