①

Empathise, mentally put yourself in other person’s shoes.

②

Keep the conversation on what the speaker says, not on what interests you.

③

Spend more time listening than talking.

④

Let the speaker talk. Do not dominate the conversation and do not interrupt incessantly.

⑤

Pay attention, never become preoccupied with your own thoughts when others talk, take brief notes to concentrate on what is being said.

⑥

Do not finish the sentence of others.

⑦

Ask questions, but do not answer questions with questions.

⑧

Be aware of biases and perceptions. Control your biases and validate your assumptions.

⑨

Encourage the speaker, provide feedback and paraphrase to show you are listening.

⑩

Plan responses after the other person has finished speaking, not while they are speaking.

⑪

Analyze by looking at all the relevant factors, ask clarifying and open-ended questions.

⑫

Summarize – walk the person through your analysis.

How To Make People Listen

It is very tough nowadays to find a good listener. Everyone pays attention to nothing but his/her smartphone.

So, when I have something important to say and need a listener, I have to use some old and proven methods.