WHEN YOU’RE THE SPEAKER
A sensitive manager can instinctively gauge the listening skill-levels of those around her. So, when it is your turn to speak, consider the following tips:

* Check the level of difficulty of the vocabulary, speak slowly to avoid accent-related problems, use jargon sparingly.

* Plan the message in advance. Know exactly what you want to say, why, and in what sequence. Make sure you are convinced about whatever you are saying; your genuine involvement will get through to the listeners.

* Link your message to the listener’s interests and wellbeing.

* Ask questions and seek feedback to ensure that the listener has understood the message as intended.

* Support your talk with examples and facts.

* Re-phrase the message or change the timing of your words, to hold the listener’s interest or to overcome distractions.

* Use tact to prevent the listener from getting defensive when you are communicating a message that may be perceived as unpleasant.

GET AHEAD
Being aware of your listening skills and improving them constantly, helps you to enhance your professional worth. So whether it is a bright idea that a junior executive wants to share, or some quality time you want to spend with an old colleague who seems to be facing personal problems, listening well makes all the difference to your life.

EAR ALERTS
Avoid the following:
* Defensive listening: Where the listener pays scant attention to the message but works at building a defence for his own actions.

* Ambusher listening: Where the listener is mentally gathering ammunition to challenge or attack the speaker’s words, at the first available opportunity.

GOT COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? E-MAIL US AT femina@timesgroup.com WITH ‘strategies — Shut Up And Listen’ IN THE SUBJECT LINE.