A lot of people may hear you, but there would be few who would listen. The hearing is kind of a technical process. Listening, on the other hand, is being receptive to other person’s word and being in sync with their emotions as well. When you are a good listener, it propagates visceral cohesion. You could be there by just following these golden rules!
Be approachable
Keep your doors always open. You do not have to take it literally. Rather it means that one should be warm and kind enough to make the other person at ease. This helps the latter to come out of the closet.
Hang on every word
Along with maintaining a positive aura, one needs to be attentive. Listening is more than keeping quiet while the other person talks. A listener listens, but a good listener receives as well. You, not just nod your head, but are receptive of their emotions as well. This would show that you respect them and are interested to know about their ordeal. Keep an open body posture, make eye contact, echo their words.
Cross- Check and Empathize
What the other is trying to say and what you understand should be in sync. Keep a check in between, if required, by echoing their words. You may ask them questions, give a little push if required, and provide feedback. Most important of all is being empathetic. The person should feel accepted and understood.
Bypass the biases
The person sharing their sufferings is vulnerable. And opening up about the same can be very challenging for them. Being a good listener, one must abstain from judgments. Let the person put away his worries, let them be irrational, let them vent out! You can wait for the appropriate time to tell them what’s right or wrong. Then you are good listening person
Use silence appropriately.
At times, an appreciative or understanding silence might be the best response, after the person narrates the life event which is extremely appalling. When you feel they have unburdened themselves completely, that is the right time for you to speak up.
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