Listen

When is the last time you really listened to someone?

We have a problem in our communication skills – few people really LISTEN -- providing, of course, you can drag them away from their texts for a conversation.

My mother used to say you have two ears and one mouth for a reason. Put another way --- “Be a good listener. Your ears will never get you in trouble.”

I believe that the single most important key to success is to be a good listener.

But how do you do that in today’s world of short attention spans?

First-- be attentive -- use your eye contact … listen for twice as long as you speak.

Don’t check that aforementioned phone or watch … it’s just plain rude

And don’t be that person who looks over someone’s shoulder to see if there’s another more interesting someone behind them

Have positive body language-- lean in, don’t fidget or cross your arms and show empathy with your expressions

Be totally focused on the speaker with an open mind –meaning don’t simply wait for your chance to jump in … ask questions.

A good listener has a profound impact –they are memorable and listening to others stories will help you become a great communicator Remember this:

“Speak in such a way that others love to listen to you. Listen in such a way that others love to speak to you.”