1 - talk less

2 - be approachable & receptive

3 - give the speaker your complete attention

4 - maintain appropriate body language

5 - sincerely work to understand the message

Listen ['li-s&n] verb

12 questions to help you gauge how well you listen and where you might need to improve.

Are you ready to listen?

Learn how to improve your listening skills with specific tips for:

In May 2007, we surveyed over 2,000 people asking them to choose what they felt was the single most important characteristic of a good listener*...


Giving complete and focused attention to the discussion


Confirming understanding by rephrasing pertinent discussion issues


Remaining patient and not interrupting


Acknowledging points with appropriate expressions and body language


Making eye contact appropriately

(*2,107 respondents chose from the possibilities above.)