Listening is known to be one of the keys to effective communication and yet it is a skill which is rarely taught and that many of us do not truly develop. To start the year, we have collated a short selection of resources to help improve listening skills.
Reasons to improve listening skills
Although we may spend a lot of our time listening, research suggests that many of us are not very good at it and only really hear between a quarter and a half of what is said to us.
At first glance, we might think this just leads to frustrations in our personal relationships causing those we interact with regularly having to repeat information that we missed. By not truly listening, however, we often miss far more than simply the information being conveyed.
In both our personal relationships and in the workplace, practicing to improve listening skills can help us become more effective. Here are a few of the advantages:
- increase our knowledge and understanding of different viewpoints
- improve our productivity with a better ability to influence, encourage and negotiate
- help build trust and strong relationships
- help avoid conflict and misunderstandings
Some suggested resources to help improve listening skills
5 ways to listen better
In a great TED talk, sound expert Julian Treasure entertainingly explains why we are losing our listening and offers 5 tools to help improve our own conscious listening.
As we re-emerge from lockdown, how are your listening skills?
An article from our own blog which looks at the benefits of improved listening with 6 tips to help us listen to understand.
How to become a better listener
This Harvard Business Review article emphases the importance for leaders to be good listeners. Acknowledging it's an undertaught skill, the authors offer 9 tips to help leaders become more active listeners together with some ideas for improving the subskills involved in listening.
Top tips for becoming a better listener
The Samaritans have created this poster to encourage people to listen to the important things they are being told by using the acronym SHUSH.
We have added this section to our Stress Management resources page which includes a comprehensive collection of stress management resources divided into pertinent sections.
Training and coaching to improve listening skills
As our training courses can be tailormade, our trainers can include a section on listening skills within many of our course topics. Individual or group coaching sessions are another pathway to help improve listening skills.
If you would like to have a conversation about either of these options or would like further details about any of our courses or coaching avenues, please either complete and return our contact form, or call the number you will find on it.
Categories
Recent articles on our blog....
The talk’s about AI but let’s not forget EI (Emotional Intelligence)
What is Emotional Intelligence (EI), how does it affect the workplace, and what benefits can be gained by organisations who train their managers in EI? Our post also offers 4 practical tips for those seeking to improve EI in their daily lives.
Read More →
Late summer 2024 newsletter includes tips to reduce productivity anxiety
The latest edition of our quarterly workplace wellbeing newsletter includes tips to reduce productivity anxiety and many other resources.
Read More →
For Autumn 2024 – 6 new training courses to aid workplace wellbeing
We introduce six new training courses which are now available for in-house delivery. All are delivered by experienced trainers who are experts in their field. The courses encompass emotional intelligence, growth leadership, interviewing skills and techniques, managing a hybrid workforce effectively, proactive stress management, and designing and implementing inclusive recruitment selection processes.
Read More →Testimonials
-
A very interesting tutor who kept us motivated throughout the session" "Dawn was an excellent presenter who is clearly passionate about her subject" "Dawn was excellent and very attentive A very interesting tutor, excellent presenter -
I really enjoyed this delivery as David mixed the “formal” with anecdotes and true examples whilst allowing for questions. He is obviously learned and interested in the subject and he is an inspirational gentleman. Aberdeen City Council Delegate -
The Trainer was brilliant - extremely knowledgeable, had lots of examples of experience and was really engaging - I wanted to know more. Adult MHFA comment from delegate
Our purpose is to provide training and consultancy services to enhance resilience, health and wellbeing in the workplace.
Differentiation is one of the most strategic and tactical activities in which companies most constantly engage
It's natural to have questions about training and how it fits with your organisation. Our FAQs can help you find out more.
View case studies for some of the in-house training courses we have delivered to different types of organisations across the UK.
