LISTENING SKILLS

In his book “ How To Have A Beautiful Mind” Edward de Bono provides some insights on HOW TO LISTEN :

1. A good listener pays attention and seeks to get the maximum value from what is being said. There are two focuses for attention: the point the speaker is trying to make; and the separate value of what is being said in its own right.
2. Listening IS NOT just having to wait impatiently until you can speak
3. You may get new information and you can then seek further information with good questions
4. You may get a new point of view which had not occurred to you before
5. You might realise there are alternative perceptions that are new to you
6. You may learn the full reasoning behind a point of view quite different from your own
7. You could learn how other people apply values which differ from your own
8. You should consider the words used with a focus on adjectives ,which indicate feelings
9. You should get in the habit of repeating back to the speaker what you think you have understood – this useful and important
10. You should ask questions to check on facts and to gain more details around points of interest