TIPS & TECHNIQUES: 10 tips to improve listening

1. Be aware of your biases and attitudes preventing you from hearing opposing facts/views. We hear things as we expect them to be. We often dismiss — or do not hear — statements that do not fit our belief system.
   
   
2. Be willing to take the time needed to listen.
   
   
3. Look at the other person.
   
   
4. Eliminate distractions and stop doing other activities.
   
   
5. Encourage with nonverbal responses: nodding head, leaning in.
   
   
6. Encourage with brief verbal responses: yes, uh-huh, m-m-m, okay.
   
   
7. Acknowledge their feelings; do not deny they feel the way they do or tell them they should not feel the way they do.
   
   
8. Paraphrase and repeat messages so the other knows you heard what was said.
   
   
9. Verbal and physical pacing: Speed up or slow down to get closer to their verbal pace. Mirror physical positions, but be subtle doing it.
   
   
10. Do not give advice or lecture.

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