Jane Marquardt, Vice Chair of Management & Training Corp., shares some simple but critical tips about how to effectively communicate in the workplace using active listening skills.

1. Can You Hear
Me Now?
The Way Leaders Listen
What innovators and thought leaders know
about communication that you don't.
By Jane Marquardt 10 Great Habits to Build.

2. Be Purposeful
A productive
conversation is likely to
cover a variety of
topics. However, it is
always important to
remember what the
original purpose of the
interaction was. Do not
let the dialogue veer
too far off course. Be
sure you questions and
contributions ultimately
serve to achieve that
original goal.

3. Stay Relaxed
Striking the right
balance between
being attentive and
making your
conversation partner
feel comfortable is
crucial. Mentally filter
out any external
distractions. Instead,
focus on presenting
yourself in a way that is
illustrative of your
eagerness to sincerely
hear what is being said
to you.

4. Open Minds,
Open Ears
Listen without
judgment. A negative
internal monologue
can do the dual
damage of prohibiting
you from listening
closely enough and
also manifesting in the
form of an unintended,
unsavory change in
your tone or facial
expressions.

5. Use Mental
Pictures
Create a mental image
of the information
being shared in the
conversation.
Visualizing abstract
concepts in a way that
makes sense allows
you to better keep your
sense on full alert. It is
form of active listening
that will be sure to
benefit your ability to
engage effectively.

6. Eye Contact
Is Key
Facing the speaker and
maintaining eye
contact is more than
just a sign of respect -
it actually helps center
your focus and keep
your attention
undivided. Clearly
indicating that the
conversation is
important to you is a
great first step to a
productive dialogue.

7. Do Not
Interrupt
Interrupting, regardless
of intentions, is
unproductive in the
long-run. Firstly, it
indicates you do not
respect the person
speaking enough to
allow them to complete
their message.
Secondly, it prevents
you from receiving all
the information they
intended to share.

8. Listen for
Pauses
A good speaker will
know to leave plenty of
opportunity for
interaction, so the
conversation doesn't
devolve into a
one-sided lecture. Take
advantage of natural
lulls in the flow of
information to ask
clarifying questions,
which prove you are
invested in the convo.

9. Know What
Wasn't Said
The majority of
interpersonal
communication is
nonverbal. Pay attention
to small details like
posture, tone of voice,
and cadence to pick up
on what is not being
explicitly expressed.
Knowledge is power
and these clues hold a
treasure trove of
information.

10. Empathy Is
Understanding
Your mannerisms
should mirror the
emotion being
conveyed to you by the
speaker. This is the
most natural indication
that the information
they are sharing is
being heard exactly as
intended. Put yourself
in the other person's
metaphorical shoes
and be considerate.

11. Give Good
Feedback
Clarifying questions are
one good way to
illustrate your
investment in the
conversation, but
sincere interjections
and affirmations are
equally effective, as
well as less likely to
unintentionally break
the speaker's flow of
thought.