How Well Do You Listen to Your Co-Workers?

Active listening is one of those soft skills everyone agrees is critical to success on the job but that few people take time to define except in the most general terms.

In general, the practice is defined as giving someone your full attention and helping them express themselves more clearly. But how, exactly, do you do that?

In a recent article, the job site Indeed.com identified 11 specific skills that you can practice.

One idea: After a lengthy exchange, try to summarize what you’ve heard, in a tentative way. “So, what you’re saying is…” This both lets the person know that you were listening and gives them a chance to clarify or expand on what they said.

You can ask specific probing questions that invite the speaker to dig deeper on particular issues. “Tell me more about…”

To read the full article, click here.

The Center for Creative Leadership offers another take here.