Mastering the Art of Listening: Speak Less, Listen More

"Listen more, speak less"

What should we say, in which situations, and how should we speak…? In group discussions or with those around us, every word we say should be pleasant to the ear, making others feel interested. Only then can we be considered good communicators.

Follow the principle: If you don't speak, that's fine, but when you do, everyone should be impressed.

The only secret to making your words valued and appreciated by others is to speak less. Only by speaking less can you focus on listening to what others are saying.

How do you become a good listener? The first requirement is "sincerity."

When others are talking to you, you shouldn't interrupt them impatiently. The most important thing is to look at them, showing that you're sincerely listening to what they’re saying. Regardless of who is speaking to you, whether their status is higher or lower, this action is a sign of politeness.

On the contrary, if someone is talking to you and you look around or multitask while chatting, it will make them feel that you are rude and not respecting them.

When someone asks for your opinion, you won’t be able to answer because you weren’t paying attention.

When conversing with others, occasionally adding a few questions to show agreement or clarifying what you don’t understand is very important. However, remember to maintain balance and not ask too many questions, which might make the other person feel interrogated.

Moreover, correcting others while they are speaking is also not advisable. This will make them feel disrespected and hesitant to share their opinions next time.

Instead, try to understand their perspective and ask questions to help them recognize the issue themselves. For example, instead of saying "You're wrong," you could gently ask, "Do you think that...?" to suggest a different view.

If the other person is talking about a boring topic, find a subtle way to steer the conversation to a topic that both of you are interested in. This will make the conversation more engaging and enjoyable for both parties.

Huu Phuc

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