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Author:
Caroline Shola Arewa

Good Speakers need good listening skills to become Great Communicators

Speakers spend a lot of time developing speaking skills and often don’t focus enough on the equally important communication skill of listening. As a Speaker trained in the art of listening I have put together the tips below.

1. What Speakers want most of all is to be heard, so does everyone else! Hence listening is the perfect gift to give to others

2. Never make assumptions about what people are thinking and feeling. Take time to listen and ask questions. Most people will be only too happy to answer. Why guess what people are thinking when they will tell you!

3. Remember silence can be as powerful as Speaking, when used skilfully

4. In conversation, repeat in your own words your understanding of what is being said. This communicates to the listener that they are really being heard.

5. Make eye contact that is not too fleeting, actually try to see the eye colour of the person/s you are communicating with.

6. When people speak, let them finish their own sentences, no matter how intuitive you are, you never really know what people are going to say.

7. Resist the urge to interrupt, and avoid planning your reply while the person is speaking; instead focus on fully hearing what is being said. This is the real skill of listening

8. Listening is a whole body experience; listen under, over and between the words spoken. Feel what your audience is saying.

9. Check your ego. When you try too hard and ‘Ease Genuine Out’– EGO, what remains can appear false. Listen to yourself and be yourself, people will love you for it.

10. People will be more prepared to listen to you, if you take time to really hear them.

Written by, Shola Arewa, Coach, Speaker, Author.
Contact: shola@creatingease.com
www.creatingease.com
www.successwithoutstress.net

Caroline Shola Arewa

Creating EASE is an energy-based approach to work-life balance. We work with individuals and organisations on achieving more Success and less stress in our ‘I need it yesterday’ world. Shola is a Health and Success Coach, Motivational Speaker and Author.

Visit our website http://www.creatingease.com and sign up for your free 7-day e-course on Creating EASE and excellence in your work and personal life. Working with you to achieve Success without Stress.

| Article Keywords: Professional Speaker

A Quick Note From The Publisher... If you like the article above, you may be interested in the following article which is also related to Professional Speaker... Top 7 Tips for Speakers Public Speaking is the number one way to advance your business career. Do you get nervous when speaking to a group? Do you feel butterflies in your stomach? The following tips will help you get your butterflies to fly in formation. 1. Everyone feels some nerves before a presentation. Try to do a quiet meditation, visualization, or exercise before you speak. Breathe deeply. Memorize those opening linesand then quickly engage your audience with a question or humorous story. 2. Three keys to being a top presenter: practice, practice, practice. In front of your mirror, in front of your stuffed animals. Use a tape recorder and a cam recorder for playback and feedback. Try your material out with service clubs. 3. Embrace your audience. Remember, it is about them, not you. Are you going to challenge them to think differently, behave differently or perhaps, confirm them. 4. Use the rule of 3. The most successful speakers limit their remarks to 3 major points. Here is where you use your signature stories to support your points and help people visualize what you are saying. 5. Prepare for white space. Always allow for audience participation, questions, role play, interaction. These may be the moments that just occur and may not be part of your prepared text. Lots of practice will let you get comfortable enough to do this. 6. Use your props. Visual aids help to reinforce your points. Power Point provides professionalism. Toys create humor and playfulness. Adults delineate their thoughts visually...so be creative. 7. Leave a trail. Provide a handout or a flyer about other programs you offer and how people may contact you. Collect their business cards and raffle a prize. Ask for written feedback and for referrals. Copyright ©...