Here are three more tips to help you better prepare that listening stage:
1. Always approach listening as an active and intentional process that involves standing back from your own thoughts and fully concentrating on what the other person is saying. Recognize the importance of careful listening and understand that true listening requires effort and focus.
2. Acknowledge the significance of looking people in the eyes while they speak. Use eye contact to lock on to the speaker's message and consciously ignore distractions and disruptions in your environment.
3. Recognize the importance of nonverbal communication, which can account for a significant portion of the overall communication experience. Practice reading between the lines by paying attention to body language and voice inflection, as these elements often convey unspoken messages.