Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood

Being a good listener can be very difficult. Think about this to improve this skill:

When we show we’re really listening, it’s much more rewarding for the person talking to you, and you’ll get more out of it too. This is called active listening, and it can help avoid misunderstanding and reduce the potential for conflict. 

Try these active listening skills:
Building trust and establishing rapport. 

Demonstrating concern. 

Paraphrasing to show understanding. 

Using nonverbal cues that show understanding such as nodding, eye contact, and leaning forward.