a listener, it is your job to stay focused on each interaction. You have the power to fully understand the interaction and assist the talker. You can choose to pay attention or to take a mental vacation. Your body language shows the talker that you are interested in what he or she has to say. It also helps you direct attention to the talker. Lean forward slightly; don't slouch. Stand or sit face-to-face with the talker. Keep arms and legs uncrossed. Remain relaxed, not tense or fidgety. Use appropriate facial expressions. Maintain eye contact. Finding the appropriate context is also important. As the listener, you often have choices about when and where to listen. When preparing to listen consider when is the best time and place to have the communication. What you want to accomplish with your communication, how might the other person react to your response, and are you in a calm and clear state of mind to listen and respond. If you choose not to listen because it happens to be an inappropriate time or place to discuss an issue, you need to reschedule the conversation. As a rule, don't assume that you've understood the talker's message. Whenever necessary, reflect the essence of a message. This means checking with the talker to ensure that your understanding of the message's content and feeling are accurate. Opening the communication is about building rapport between the talker and listener. This includes establishing a connection and building common ground. By doing this well, you lay the groundwork for the subsequent interaction and are more likely to achieve positive resultsAs a rule, don't assume that you've understood the talker's message. Whenever necessary, reflect the essence of a message. This means checking with the talker to ensure that your understanding of the message's content and feeling are accurate. Listening is a two way process. Your role as a listener includes the ability to expand the communication by initiating an ...
