Speak less, listen more.

LISTEN MORE THAN YOU SPEAK

Listening more than you speak is an essential skill for effective communication and building strong relationships. When you take the time to actively listen to others, you show them that you value and respect their perspective. Some benefits of listening more than you speak are:

1. Better Understanding: When you listen attentively to someone, you will gain a better understanding of their point of view, their needs, and their feelings.

2. Improved Relationships: When you show others that you are interested in what they have to say, they will feel heard and valued. This can lead to better relationships and increased trust.

3. Learning Opportunities: Listening to others gives you the privilege of learning from their experiences and perspectives. This can expand your knowledge and help you gain new insights.

Here are a few tips for listening more than you speak:

1. Avoid Interrupting: Interrupting someone while they are speaking can be discouraging and disrespectful. Wait until they finish speaking before responding.

2. Be Present: Show the person you are listening to that you are present in the conversation by making eye contact, nodding, and asking questions.

3. Resist the urge to Judge: Try not to judge the speaker's viewpoint or opinion. Instead, seek to understand it and the reason behind it.

4. Ask Open-Ended Questions: Ask questions that require more in-depth answers. This can help you understand the person's perspective better and shows that you are interested in what they have to say.

5. Use Reflective Listening: Reflective listening involves repeating what the person has said to ensure you have understood their message correctly. This clarifies any misunderstandings, and also shows the speaker that you are actively listening to them.

Listening more than you speak, can help you create meaningful connections with those around you. Active listening allows you to understand the perspective and needs of others, thereby creating a more empathetic and respectful communication environment.

Kamikun John, Author 366 days of wisdom.