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Five Active Listening Skills

A good leader understands the key role communication skills play in their success.

Talking is great but listening is where the real learning takes place. Here are five ways to become an Active Listener:

1. Do an Internal Summary - Concentrate on what is being said and try to summarize the main points in your mind. Listen to understand, not to respond.
2. Ask Questions - Yes this is part of being an "Active Listener." If you don’t understand, wait for a break, politely interrupt and ask a question.
3. Take Notes - Engage yourself by taking notes.
4. Timing - If it is not a good time to talk, say so. Reschedule when you will be more focused
5. Listen with Your Eyes - Eye contact helps you stay focused and to see the non-verbal part of the message. Any mismatched signals could give you more insight. (See blog post Effective Leaders Communicate Effectively! )

ACTION

Try using some of these techniques in your conversations this week. The key is to catch yourself not paying attention (my last blog homework) and then shift into one of the above techniques.

In the meantime, if you have any successes or questions about leadership communication Let me know and I will share them with my readers. E-mail Patrick
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