Wednesday, August 23, 2006
What Does He Mean By That?
The purpose of good listening is to gain maximum understanding. Many people are tuned in only to the words of the other person or to the body language or the tone of voice and do not listen to the whole message. In understanding a message, each of these is important.
In order to hear the entire message, we should keep in mind the following points:
1. Thinking about the specific words the other person is saying.
2. Maintain an eye contact with the other party. We cannot read body language without looking at the speaker. Eye contact tells him that we are listening.
3. Engaging our mind to interpret the other person’s body language. We may intuitively understand it because much of what is sent nonverbally is subconsciously understood. If we feel our emotions are coloring our understanding, an awareness check is in order.
4. Watching facial expressions and how the other person uses his hands and arms. These will give us the most information on his nonverbal communication.
5. Listen to his tone of voice. Is it consistent with his words?
6. Interpreting the complete message when he have finished. Responding to what we think he is saying and then listening carefully to his response to us.
Until next time
See me here
Kisses!
NJzen
