Sometimes they’re not even sure how to say what they need to say. In these moments it is really important to understand the other person. Whenever I heard a problem, my engineer brain shifted to “Let’s solve it.” That attitude can make a great engineer, but it’s exactly what worked against me as a manager of people.Ĭonversations are a tricky thing – especially when it comes to difficult topics, like receiving/giving feedback, or talking about a very personal topic. Hearing what the other person saying is one thing, but really listening – listening for meaning, and how the other person is feeling – is something I wasn‘t good at. Listening sounds so simple, right? Well, for me it has not been that plain and simple. So when I became a manager, I realized that I needed to listen a lot more.
Active listening exercises code#
Although I talked to people, my output was writing code and solving problems. This game shows you the different types of listening and the way it works.Communication is the most important tool we have when it comes to team work – especially in remote work.īut as an engineer, in the past I’ve focused more on code than communication. You’ll find that the people from group A who were asked to calculate the words ‘then’ and ‘so’ will be unable to answer the questions related to the story, while those from group B will have no such problem. Then relate a short story to them.Īt the end of the story, ask them questions relating to the story. Do not give any such instructions to group B. Ask some others to count the number of times you say the word ‘so’. Then ask some people from group A to pay close attention to the story you tell and ask them to calculate the number of times you say the word ‘then’. Selective Listeningĭivide a large group into Group A and B. This game works at two levels – one, it teaches the tagged person to listen to all instructions given, and two, it teaches the teammates to develop effective communication skills. The entire team has to guide the tagged person from the starting point to the end mark without letting him touch the danger points. These are the places that the tagged person cannot go near. Now clear out the entire area and create ‘dangers’ at regular intervals. Here are some of the same that you can try out.ĭivide a group of people into two teams and choose a person in each team who will take the tag. There are certain games that have been specifically designed to help you acquire effective listening skills. Using games as a learning tool is one of the simplest and most interesting ways to improve your listening abilities. Other than the exercises mentioned above, here is an interesting way of how you can become better listeners – by playing games.
These are just some tips that will help you become better listeners. These are some of the active listening activities that you can try and work on and inculcate in your daily routine. This will involve verbal methods (saying ‘uh huh’ or ‘OK’), as well as using a positive body language (nodding your head, smiling). One great way to pay attention and understand what the other person is saying is to provide proper feedback.Then get clarifications by asking questions so that there are no doubts harbored. After they’ve spoken and there are still doubts lingering, first, repeat what they have stated (in your own words) so that they know that you have been listening and understanding their points.This blocks your clear thinking and understanding and instead of listening to them, you expend your energy in forming opinions or wondering how to repute their points. Do not be judgmental when a person is talking.Not only is it insulting, but you’ll leave out on important information too. Do not interrupt someone when they are speaking to you.Mentally try and repeat what they are saying back to yourself so that you are aware of what is being said.Take the effort to really listen to a person instead of fazing out into your own dreamworld.It also prevents you from drifting into your own thoughts. This shows that you are paying complete attention to what they have to say. Always maintain eye contact with a person while they are speaking.
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