A third important factor that affects your workplace interactions is how well you listen. By listening well in a conversation, you'll get the facts you need to know, develop trust, and reduce conflicts.
Watch this video. As you watch, note the simple things you can do in conversations to really stay focused on what others are saying. After watching, read the passage on the right.
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Camille: Hey, guys... It's Camille. One crucial factor that can determine whether any interview or interaction goes well is whether or not you're listening.
Text: CAREER HACKS - WHAT MAKES OR BREAKS AN INTERVIEW?
Camille: When I'm talking to someone and I can tell they're not listening, it drives me crazy.
Felicia H: Hey. My name is Felicia Hercules. Yes, it's Hercules. That's my real name. I am an emergency medicine physician.
Camille: How important is listening in your line of work?
Felicia H: It's the number one thing people say they don't get from their physician a lot. Are you hearing me? I'm seeing people on their not so great days, they're not in the best mood, and just from listening to what they have to say and they could leave totally changed.
Camille: That definitely makes sense.
Nick: If you're talking to someone...
Don't pull out your phone.
Text: NICK, FILMMAKER
Nick: You want to give them a visual that you're giving them all of your attention.
Try to meet them in the eyes, try to take your earbuds out...
So that way you're not distracted by anything. The idea is that you just want the person across from you to engage.
Felicia H: Listening and waiting to speak are very different. Really try to clear your mind, take a pause when someone is speaking to you, validate what they’re saying. People respond to you very differently when you come off that way.
Camille: Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions.
Felicia H: Bye.
Text: HOW TO BE A GOOD LISTENER
Camille: Don't angle your body away from someone.
Lean into the conversation and focus your eyes and energy on them.
Avoid playing with your hair, fidgeting, doodling, or bouncing your legs.
Don't cross your arms.
Silence your phone and put it away.
Mirror the other person's body language. If they're sitting, sit, and if they're standing, you should too.
Use facial expressions to show that you're engaged.
And don't slouch, it makes it look like you don't care.
I always try to pay attention to anyone talking so they feel respected and heard, like I would want. At first, it seems like a lot of steps to remember, but once you get used to doing it, it comes a lot more naturally.