Communication Skills - 10

LISTEN...REALLY LISTEN

This last point is something with which many of us have a problem.

How many times have you forgotten a person's name almost immediately after being introduced? How many are so eager to tell our story/opinion that we don't wait until the other person is finished?

Previous posts - #5, #6, #9, all depend on listening. Actual listening. Not just hearing.

I'm guilty, too, of the above, and try to improve the next time.

How would listening give me a better chance at getting a positive result on the question of dinner with my lady on Friday night? Or of even being able to ask the question in the first place.

I'm a bit stumped on this one.

Maybe listening to talk around the work place whenever her name is mentioned to gain me more information about her. Maybe a subtle question about her if the circumstance warrants it.

Maybe listening to my inner voice for the right moment. Maybe NOT paying attention to the one that tells me I'm a fool. Maybe listening to my heart that tells me to take a risk and go for it. It's a yes or no question so there's a toss of the coin odds. Maybe NOT paying heed to the imp in the shadows trying to talk me out of it.

So, there they are. Ten points for better social interaction. I've related them to a personal issue and I'll bet there are issues where some of these might benefit you, or at least to help smooth over a couple rough spots.

Any further suggestions are appreciated. I'll listen to them.