Simple Ways To Improve Your Listening Skills


Did you ever get introduced to somebody and forgot their name in 3 minutes?

Well, I have. I am thinking of so many things, that I don’t even listen well.

Improving Your Listening Skills May Help Improve Your Memory

People are busy. As such, there’s a lot going on in their minds.

This goes on day after day. So, when it comes time to listen, they are often too preoccupied. When this happens, they are less likely to absorb information.

Consider students who are bored with a lecture. They are thinking about everything but the subject of the lecture.

They would not take as many notes as they would be absorbing more of what the teacher is saying.

Benefits of a good listener

1. Mutual trust: Authentic listening generates respect and trust between friends and family members. Employees or employers will naturally respond better to a co-worker who they think are listening intently to their needs.

2. Productivity: Problems are solved faster if people are encouraged to explain problems and be given the freedom to work through solutions out loud before being told what to do.

3. Boosts confidence: Great listeners tend to have better self-esteem and self-image because, in their listening, they work toward establishing positive relationships.

4. Fewer mistakes: Good listening leads to more accuracy in retaining information. You’ll remember the important fact, later on, minimizing the risk of miscommunication and making mistakes.

To become better listeners, we have first to accept that you may not be as good at listening as you believe.

Most people aren’t, but consider themselves good listeners.

Try this experiment the next time you meet someone.

After they introduce themselves, and you have been speaking to them for a minute or so, try to recall the person’s name.

If you can’t, then you were not listening. When they are talking, take notice of whether you are thinking about what you are going to say next after they finish.

If you were, then once again, you were not listening to what they said.

This was me, sad to say. One day I was reading a book called The 12 Clans Mothers. One of the skills was The listening woman.

I realized I didn’t have that skill. (if you are interested this is a great book on personal development)

One great way to help you listen is to repeat back what the other person is saying. This confirms what they are saying and helps you hear it inside your mind.

Usually, the person you are conversing with will not think it is strange, contrary to popular belief.

Another way to reinforce your listening is to ask questions during your conversation. This engages both parties in the conversation and gets you thinking about what was said.

With remembering their name.

Repeat their name at least 3 times in the conversation. You can also make a word association with their name.

I met this woman and her name was Abby. I connected her name to the Beatles. Abby Road. Never forgot her name.

One reason why we may be bad listeners is that we were never really taught the skill.

It is a learnable skill and therefore requires some training. There is nothing currently in the curriculum of schools that cover this type of training at any level.

Good listeners also tune into what is not said, i.e., facial expressions and, body language.

These signals sometimes tell more of the story than the actual words. It can give clues to the hidden meanings and what the other person is feeling.

You will remember more when you become a better listener.

You will capture the messages and the subtle cues that others would allow to pass. Whether it is for school or work.

I hope this gives you insight on listening skills.

Try these exercises with a friend or family. Please share with me how it goes. Best of luck.


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Susan E Brown
Transformational Life Coach 
Cell 207 513-2353
Set up a time to chat
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