Pretend to Listen

Successful CEOs and other C-Suite executives pretend to listen all the time. The best CEOs listen, or pretend very well that they are listening. Science. They keep refreshing themselves. They work to draw out information.

How can you pretend to listen? Here are some pointers:
1) Make eye contact. Don’t just look at a person when they’re speaking to you, look into them. Look through them.
2) Ask questions. The best way for people to know that you are listening is if you ask pointed questions about what they’re saying that help draw out more than “yes” and “no” answers.
3) Nod. It takes no effort to do and is a huge, non-verbal acknowledgment that you hear and understand what’s being said to you.
4) Repeat. Especially if someone seems particularly excited about what they’re sharing with you. Use phrase like, “So what you’re saying is....” and “Do I understand correctly that...?”
5) Don’t look away. It’s really easy at a function to get distracted by all the buzz in the room, but remember how it important it is to make this person believe they are the only person in the universe in that moment. Look at that person for as long as they are trying to engage you and don’t look away.
6) Don’t smirk. Think of a pleasant experience that brings a smile to your face, your child, your pet, and hold that smile a second or two longer than feels natural. Though not a second longer than that as you don’t want to come off as leering or creepy!
7) Find something you can genuinely compliment them on. There's always something, even with the hottest messes. It's a short statement. “You look lovely in blue” or “That's a nice necklace.” Don't overdo it.

Get more exciting communication tips in Your Self-Sabotage Survival Guide by Karen Berg. Read more here: tinyurl.com/y786t4ax