The Art of Active Listening

Listening is the forgotten communication skill, but arguably, the most significant. It is a crucial part of our ability to engage and communicate with others. Listening actively, however, takes this skillset up a level. Almost everyone sincerely believes that they listen effectively; however, good listening skills are rare. Most of us have never been taught the habits that would make us effective listeners, so they need to be practiced and developed. As you develop your listening with purpose, understanding and empathy, you will build better trust and stronger relationships.

You already understand the importance of quality communication. But good communication is built not on speaking but on listening. When we learn to actively listen-to listen well-this ability resonates through all our relationships and interactions. Research has found that by listening actively, you will obtain more information, increase others' trust in you, reduce conflict, and better understand the message being delivered.

In 10 easy steps, you can go from being a poor listener to an excellent one. At each step, you'll learn how to navigate the pitfalls of strained communication, transforming your ability to exchange accurate, complete information and deepen emotional understanding and connectedness.

You'll discover 10 easy-to-learn steps to becoming a better listener, with practical examples of do's and don'ts.

These strategies will teach you how to:

• Focus your attention
• Listen with purpose and empathy
• Improve as a leader
• Develop healthier relationships

Each chapter in this book will teach you about a vital component of act...