PPI #75: How to Improve Your Communication - Listen!

To improve communication start by learning how to listen better. Today I'm going to take you through three ways in which you can improve your listening skills so that you can also improve and up your game on the communication front.

Rule number one with improving your communication through mastering the art of listening is to develop the ability to pause. Really focus on relaxing and letting the other person speak. Don't think about the next thing that you need to be saying or cut them off. Just pause. Let them say whatever it is that they're trying to say and fully give the space for that. 

Number two, to improve your listening game, to improve your communication game, you need to reflect back what you're hearing. You can use just a simple statement such as, "I think I heard you say," or "I understand that what you're saying is...," and just reflect back. Play back what it is that you've just heard the person state.

Number three, ask the question, "Why?... Why do you feel that way? Why do you think that way? Why don't you think things could be another way?" This will deepen your understanding, thereby improving any communication that follows.