Many people neglect this most important communication skill. Do you know that we spend an average of {{U}}(1) {{/U}}.? Of this communication time, 9% is spent writing, {{U}}(2) {{/U}} and 45% listening.
Immediately after hearing something, most of us can recall only 50% of what we hear. Within two to eight weeks, we can recall {{U}}(3) {{/U}} of the original message. Our mental attitudes {{U}}(4) {{/U}} what we hear. Some suggestions to {{U}}(5) {{/U}} are mentioned below.
First of all, stop talking—you can't listen {{U}}(6) {{/U}} Ask questions—when you don't understand, when you {{U}}(7) {{/U}} , when you want them to like you and {{U}}(8) {{/U}} that you are listening. Don't interrupt— {{U}}(9) {{/U}} to say what they have to say. {{U}}(10) {{/U}} what they are saying—actively {{U}}(11) {{/U}} on their words, their ideas and their feelings as they {{U}}(12) {{/U}}. Look at the prospect—by looking, it gives them confidence that you are, in fact, listening. It helps you to concentrate too. {{U}}(13) {{/U}}—try to forget your own {{U}}(14) {{/U}}. Leave them outside of the meeting room. They will {{U}}(15) {{/U}} well. Understand the main points—concentrate on the main ideas and not {{U}}(16) {{/U}}. Don't argue mentally—when you are trying to understand other people, it is a {{U}}(17) {{/U}} them mentally as they are speaking. This only {{U}}(18) {{/U}} between yourself and the speaker. Use the {{U}}(19) {{/U}}—you can listen faster than you can talk. So use this rate difference to your {{U}}(20) {{/U}}, anticipating what they are going to say, and thinking back over what they have just said and evaluating the development of their argument.