Page 198 - Effective Communication Soft Skills Strategies For Success by Nitin Bhatnagar, Mamta Bhatnagar

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interpreted as indifference or rejection and too close proximity may make
the speaker feel uncomfortable.
You must then react to the speaker with certain nonverbal signals. Your
face must move and your expressions must indicate that you are following
what the speaker has to say.
It is an arduous task to receive information when your mouth is reading
information out at the same time. A good listener will stop talking and use
receptive language like, ‘I see………’ , ‘un hunh’, ‘oh… really…..’ , instead.
A good listener must also note the discrepancies between what people
say and their expression. For example, if they say they are happy, they must
also look so and not appear to the contrary.

Reflective Listening
Reflective listening restates the feeling and content that the speaker communi-
cated and demonstrates that you understand and accept the speaker’s message.
Reflective listening requires observation of nonverbal communication
and helps you to focus on the central points of the issue. It encourages the
speaker to disclose his feelings, thereby helping him understand his emo-
tions and move towards a solution to the problem. It is not easy to listen
actively all the time. Our concentration lasts only for about 15–20 minutes.
All of us get distracted at times. But the good listener gets back on track and
asks clarifying questions when things aren’t clear. Above all we must guard
against prejudices, close-minded opinions, defensive remarks, and fears of
being wrong which prevent us from believing what is said.
A good listener must respond, allowing the speaker to know that he/she
was understood. Empathic listening is more complex than just listening. An
empathic listener focuses on the speaker’s feelings.

Benefits of Effective Listening
Listening is an intellectual activity; our faculties function in different ways
according to the kind of listening required by the occasion. Listening to
presentations, lectures, and instructions requires attention so that the infor-
mation and ideas are understood and stored in the memory. Listening to
political speeches, sales talks, or judging of elocution contests requires
evaluative critical listening.
Effective listening offers numerous benefits. Some of them are listed
below:
• Can obtain more information.
• Can get acquainted with people and perceive how their minds work.

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