Active Listening Skills for Business

Many misunderstandings leading to costly errors, arguments, and lost productivity occur because the person getting information in order to provide input, do a task, or problem-solve, did not "actively listen."

Sometimes we think we know the answer before the other person completes the thought. When we get ahead of ourselves it's possible to miss some small but important piece of information that could change everything. Our mental processes tend to automatically fill in the missing part with what we "think" should be there and that's when the problems begin.
Knowing how to actively listen is a proven way to improve relationships with both internal and external customers.

Learn how to:
• Use acceptance responses
• Ask clarifying questions
• Repeat key words, phrases and numbers
• Paraphrase content
• Reflect emotions
• Summarize information
• Earn the right to be heard
• Use transition sentences