Comments on: Listen: This Habit Will Dramatically Improve Your Conversations http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/listen-this-habit-will-dramatically-improve-your-conversations/ Mon, 13 Feb 2012 09:22:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: Guy Farmer http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/listen-this-habit-will-dramatically-improve-your-conversations/comment-page-1/#comment-88018 Guy Farmer Fri, 13 Aug 2010 07:41:43 +0000 http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/listen-this-habit-will-dramatically-improve-your-conversations/#comment-88018 Great tips Scott. I've also found it useful to leave room in the conversation, silence that will show the other person that you are waiting to hear what they say. Another useful technique is to ask open-ended questions if we have to talk at all. I've noticed the best results from simply listening and giving the other person the opportunity to tell her story. Great tips Scott. I’ve also found it useful to leave room in the conversation, silence that will show the other person that you are waiting to hear what they say. Another useful technique is to ask open-ended questions if we have to talk at all. I’ve noticed the best results from simply listening and giving the other person the opportunity to tell her story.

]]> By: prom gowns http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/listen-this-habit-will-dramatically-improve-your-conversations/comment-page-1/#comment-86745 prom gowns Wed, 07 Jul 2010 07:27:36 +0000 http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/listen-this-habit-will-dramatically-improve-your-conversations/#comment-86745 This interesting post made me smile. This interesting post made me smile.

]]> By: Kim http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/listen-this-habit-will-dramatically-improve-your-conversations/comment-page-1/#comment-73318 Kim Wed, 24 Jun 2009 02:32:48 +0000 http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/listen-this-habit-will-dramatically-improve-your-conversations/#comment-73318 Enhancing my listening skills is one of the best things I've ever done. It's not only helped me in my personal life, but in my career as well. It's motivated me to work on other <a>self improvement and motivation</a> efforts. Enhancing my listening skills is one of the best things I’ve ever done. It’s not only helped me in my personal life, but in my career as well. It’s motivated me to work on other
self improvement and motivation efforts.

]]> By: Motivation and Self Improvement | PickTheBrain http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/listen-this-habit-will-dramatically-improve-your-conversations/comment-page-1/#comment-73176 Motivation and Self Improvement | PickTheBrain Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:26:35 +0000 http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/listen-this-habit-will-dramatically-improve-your-conversations/#comment-73176 [...] Listen: This Habit Will Dramatically Improve Your Conversations [...] [...] Listen: This Habit Will Dramatically Improve Your Conversations [...]

]]> By: Laurie http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/listen-this-habit-will-dramatically-improve-your-conversations/comment-page-1/#comment-63437 Laurie Sun, 13 Jul 2008 13:11:26 +0000 http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/listen-this-habit-will-dramatically-improve-your-conversations/#comment-63437 Good post, Scott! Listening is half of the conversation; without it the talking goes nowhere. I like your suggestion on giving an anecdote. This is really important to show you're actually listening and understanding what is being said. I, however, do use the "uh-huh"s, "I see"s etc. as well as the anecdote - not a one-or-the-other approach. I find it's especially useful when someone is talking about a topic that is abstract and/or complicated. It isn't to encourage a monologue, but to provide unobtrusive feedback that discretely communicates to the listener that I'm following and that they're communicating their ideas in a way that I can understand. Thanks for writing on listening - it's such an under-implemented skill! Good post, Scott! Listening is half of the conversation; without it the talking goes nowhere. I like your suggestion on giving an anecdote. This is really important to show you’re actually listening and understanding what is being said. I, however, do use the “uh-huh”s, “I see”s etc. as well as the anecdote – not a one-or-the-other approach. I find it’s especially useful when someone is talking about a topic that is abstract and/or complicated. It isn’t to encourage a monologue, but to provide unobtrusive feedback that discretely communicates to the listener that I’m following and that they’re communicating their ideas in a way that I can understand.

Thanks for writing on listening – it’s such an under-implemented skill!

]]> By: RaAr http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/listen-this-habit-will-dramatically-improve-your-conversations/comment-page-1/#comment-63284 RaAr Tue, 08 Jul 2008 05:17:53 +0000 http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/listen-this-habit-will-dramatically-improve-your-conversations/#comment-63284 Yaa! I heared from many that we have to speak less & listen more but unfortunatly we use to do reverse due several reasions, may we want to show ourself that we know more or may want to build our impression on others or to make frant person shut his mouth for demotivating him or may be several other resions but all these are not good. Wherever necessary we have to speak like if we are giving seminar on that time we have to speak more because we want explain more. Yaa! I heared from many that we have to speak less & listen more but unfortunatly we use to do reverse due several reasions, may we want to show ourself that we know more or may want to build our impression on others or to make frant person shut his mouth for demotivating him or may be several other resions but all these are not good. Wherever necessary we have to speak like if we are giving seminar on that time we have to speak more because we want explain more.

]]> By: Michelle http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/listen-this-habit-will-dramatically-improve-your-conversations/comment-page-1/#comment-63265 Michelle Mon, 07 Jul 2008 19:26:27 +0000 http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/listen-this-habit-will-dramatically-improve-your-conversations/#comment-63265 Great post! As a life coach, I've experienced firsthand that active listening is the most important tool I can use with a client. It's a funny way of putting it, but when you think of actively listening it becomes a much less passive task, as well as being more engaging to a big talker like myself! If you want to practice active listening, you should: (a) not focus on anything other than what the other person is saying & how they're saying it. A lot of times people only listen for a break in the conversation, so they can jump in with their own (and seemingly more important) comment. If you empty your head of your own agenda - & not be scared of a moment or two of silence - you'll be able to listen a lot more fully and completely. (b) recap what the other person has said in the way that you understood it. This will help clarify what is being discussed on both sides, & will help you get to know the other person better. This is especially helpful when someone is coming to you for advice or support. Actively listening is tough, but when I consciously do it....Wow! Great post! As a life coach, I’ve experienced firsthand that active listening is the most important tool I can use with a client. It’s a funny way of putting it, but when you think of actively listening it becomes a much less passive task, as well as being more engaging to a big talker like myself!

If you want to practice active listening, you should:
(a) not focus on anything other than what the other person is saying & how they’re saying it. A lot of times people only listen for a break in the conversation, so they can jump in with their own (and seemingly more important) comment. If you empty your head of your own agenda – & not be scared of a moment or two of silence – you’ll be able to listen a lot more fully and completely.

(b) recap what the other person has said in the way that you understood it. This will help clarify what is being discussed on both sides, & will help you get to know the other person better. This is especially helpful when someone is coming to you for advice or support.

Actively listening is tough, but when I consciously do it….Wow!

]]> By: Ralph http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/listen-this-habit-will-dramatically-improve-your-conversations/comment-page-1/#comment-63173 Ralph Fri, 04 Jul 2008 20:26:10 +0000 http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/listen-this-habit-will-dramatically-improve-your-conversations/#comment-63173 Most people can think recall havig speech classes,presentation, teaching and other speaking training but there is no training for listening. In understanding another person, listening is the only way. Even salesmen understand this. Once they listen to what you are looking for, they can better recommend a product that they can sell to you. When someone listens passively, they will never truely understand another person and that is why I feel strongly that listening is the most valuable communication skill. Great post! Made me think. Most people can think recall havig speech classes,presentation, teaching and other speaking training but there is no training for listening. In understanding another person, listening is the only way. Even salesmen understand this. Once they listen to what you are looking for, they can better recommend a product that they can sell to you. When someone listens passively, they will never truely understand another person and that is why I feel strongly that listening is the most valuable communication skill. Great post! Made me think.

]]> By: Phil http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/listen-this-habit-will-dramatically-improve-your-conversations/comment-page-1/#comment-63144 Phil Thu, 03 Jul 2008 18:03:24 +0000 http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/listen-this-habit-will-dramatically-improve-your-conversations/#comment-63144 Good post Scott. Listening is a greatly under-used skill in life and at work. More managers should take heed of Bob Sutton's advice: "The best leaders ... advocate an 'attitude of wisdom'. Arguing as if they are right, and listening as if they are wrong.” http://www.the-happy-manager.com/great-managers.html Good post Scott. Listening is a greatly under-used skill in life and at work. More managers should take heed of Bob Sutton’s advice:

“The best leaders … advocate an ‘attitude of wisdom’. Arguing as if they are right, and listening as if they are wrong.”

http://www.the-happy-manager.com/great-managers.html

]]> By: Anya May http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/listen-this-habit-will-dramatically-improve-your-conversations/comment-page-1/#comment-63124 Anya May Wed, 02 Jul 2008 23:10:03 +0000 http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/listen-this-habit-will-dramatically-improve-your-conversations/#comment-63124 Great post. Thanks a bunch! It's something I really need to improve too. Cheers, Anya Great post. Thanks a bunch! It’s something I really need to improve too.

Cheers,

Anya

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