List 5 of the 10 Commandments of Good Listening

Question

List 5 of  the 10 Commandments of Good Listening

Examlex · Accepted Answer

The Answer is Certainly! Here are five of the ten commandments of good listening:

1. **Give the Speaker Your Undivided Attention**: This means avoiding distractions and focusing entirely on the speaker. Put aside thoughts about other matters, avoid looking at your phone or computer, and make eye contact to show that you are fully engaged.

2. **Avoid Interrupting the Speaker**: Good listeners allow the speaker to finish their thoughts without breaking in. Interrupting can disrupt the speaker's train of thought and indicates that you value your own input over understanding theirs.

3. **Keep an Open Mind**: Listen without judging the other person or mentally criticizing the things they tell you. If what they say alarms you, go ahead and feel alarmed, but don't say to yourself, “Well, that was a stupid move.” As soon as you indulge in judgmental bemusements, you've compromised your effectiveness as a listener.

4. **Listen to the Tone of Voice for Emotion**: Often, the true meaning of a message is found not just in the words, but in the tone of voice. Is the speaker angry, frustrated, excited, or indifferent? Paying attention to these nuances can help you understand the full context of what's being communicated.

5. **Reflect and Clarify**: Make sure you understand what the speaker has said by reflecting their message and asking clarifying questions. For example, you might say, “What I'm hearing is...,” or “Sounds like you are saying...,” followed by a summary of their message. This not only shows that you are listening but also that you are working to comprehend their message fully.

These commandments of good listening are designed to help you engage more effectively in conversations, ensuring that you understand the speaker and that they feel heard and respected.

List 5 of the 10 Commandments of Good Listening

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