When you're networking, being a good listener is very important for making real connections. But there are some barriers that can make it hard to listen actively. Let’s take a look at some of these challenges and how to overcome them to make your networking better.
Today, there are distractions all around us!
It could be your phone buzzing with notifications, loud noises in a busy place, or even your own thoughts racing about what you want to say next.
For example, if you're at a networking event and hear your phone ping, you might be tempted to check it while someone is talking to you. This breaks your focus and can show the other person that you’re not really paying attention.
Solution: Try to keep distractions to a minimum. Put your phone on silent before you go in, and if you can, find quieter spots for conversations. Remember, being there physically doesn’t mean very much if your mind is wandering.
Sometimes, we enter conversations with ideas about the people we talk to. Maybe you think someone is too important to talk to, or you believe they won’t say anything interesting.
These beliefs can block your ability to listen carefully.
Example: Imagine a young professional meeting a senior executive. If the younger person feels scared and focuses too much on their nerves, they might miss out on good advice the executive shares about the industry.
Solution: Go into each chat with an open mind. Treat everyone like they have something valuable to share. Remember, everyone has a unique story worth listening to.
We often have a conversation with ourselves while someone is talking. We might be thinking about what to say next rather than really listening.
Illustration: Picture yourself in a conversation where the other person is sharing their recent achievements, but in your mind, you’re busy wondering, “What will I say next? How can I make my achievements sound better?”
Solution: Practice being mindful. Focus on what the speaker is saying and their body language. Remind yourself that you’ll get a turn to speak. A good trick is to wait a few seconds after they finish talking before you respond. This helps you understand better and shows the other person that you care about what they said.
Sometimes, our past experiences or feelings can make it hard to listen. For instance, if a topic reminds you of a past argument, you might feel defensive and stop listening.
Solution: Recognize your feelings before you talk to someone. If you notice that you’re feeling defensive, take a deep breath and refocus on the speaker. Remember, networking is about building connections, which often means being a little open and vulnerable.
Empathy means understanding how others feel. If you find it hard to connect with what someone else is going through, active listening can be tough.
Example: If someone at a networking event talks about a personal problem and you haven’t faced something similar, you might have trouble engaging.
Solution: Work on being more empathetic. Try to relate what they’re sharing to your own life, even if it’s not exactly the same. Ask follow-up questions to get a better grasp of their point of view. This not only helps you listen better but also strengthens your relationship, making it easier to connect on a deeper level.
By identifying these barriers to active listening, you can work on overcoming them. Remember, good networking isn’t just about who you know; it’s also about how well you connect and engage with them. So let’s focus on improving our listening skills and showing empathy to build meaningful relationships as we network!
When you're networking, being a good listener is very important for making real connections. But there are some barriers that can make it hard to listen actively. Let’s take a look at some of these challenges and how to overcome them to make your networking better.
Today, there are distractions all around us!
It could be your phone buzzing with notifications, loud noises in a busy place, or even your own thoughts racing about what you want to say next.
For example, if you're at a networking event and hear your phone ping, you might be tempted to check it while someone is talking to you. This breaks your focus and can show the other person that you’re not really paying attention.
Solution: Try to keep distractions to a minimum. Put your phone on silent before you go in, and if you can, find quieter spots for conversations. Remember, being there physically doesn’t mean very much if your mind is wandering.
Sometimes, we enter conversations with ideas about the people we talk to. Maybe you think someone is too important to talk to, or you believe they won’t say anything interesting.
These beliefs can block your ability to listen carefully.
Example: Imagine a young professional meeting a senior executive. If the younger person feels scared and focuses too much on their nerves, they might miss out on good advice the executive shares about the industry.
Solution: Go into each chat with an open mind. Treat everyone like they have something valuable to share. Remember, everyone has a unique story worth listening to.
We often have a conversation with ourselves while someone is talking. We might be thinking about what to say next rather than really listening.
Illustration: Picture yourself in a conversation where the other person is sharing their recent achievements, but in your mind, you’re busy wondering, “What will I say next? How can I make my achievements sound better?”
Solution: Practice being mindful. Focus on what the speaker is saying and their body language. Remind yourself that you’ll get a turn to speak. A good trick is to wait a few seconds after they finish talking before you respond. This helps you understand better and shows the other person that you care about what they said.
Sometimes, our past experiences or feelings can make it hard to listen. For instance, if a topic reminds you of a past argument, you might feel defensive and stop listening.
Solution: Recognize your feelings before you talk to someone. If you notice that you’re feeling defensive, take a deep breath and refocus on the speaker. Remember, networking is about building connections, which often means being a little open and vulnerable.
Empathy means understanding how others feel. If you find it hard to connect with what someone else is going through, active listening can be tough.
Example: If someone at a networking event talks about a personal problem and you haven’t faced something similar, you might have trouble engaging.
Solution: Work on being more empathetic. Try to relate what they’re sharing to your own life, even if it’s not exactly the same. Ask follow-up questions to get a better grasp of their point of view. This not only helps you listen better but also strengthens your relationship, making it easier to connect on a deeper level.
By identifying these barriers to active listening, you can work on overcoming them. Remember, good networking isn’t just about who you know; it’s also about how well you connect and engage with them. So let’s focus on improving our listening skills and showing empathy to build meaningful relationships as we network!