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1.
Stop what you are doing and be ready to listen.
Often a speaker will state
the main point when he/she begins speaking. You don’t want to miss this vital
information.
2.
Indicate that you are listening.
Use body language to show you are
engaged in the conversation.
3.
Ask questions if you are unclear about the information.
You might say, “Did
you say that you have a flight to catch today at 6 a.m. or 6 p.m.?”
4.
Take notes and write down important details.
Unless you have unlimited
recall (and few of us do), writing down important details is essential to
avoiding mistakes and misunderstandings. Listen for details. Clue words will
help you recognize these details. Examples of clue words are names, dates,
times, addresses, places, numbers, and products. It will also help you keep
focused on what is important instead of on minor items.
5.
Restate the main points.
After the person has finished speaking, restate the
main points to convey that you understand what the person has said. Use
your notes to remember the details.
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Section 11– Effective Communication & Networking