Speech coach Nick Morgan suggests there are five ways to listen to people during a question and answer session:
- Critical - You look to find ways to object to the question or opinion (don't use this method)
- Paraphrase - say back to the person what you thought they said to you and ask for them to confirm that's what they said
- Simplify - say back to the person a simpler version of what they said , highlighting what you believe the key point is and ask them to confirm that's what they said (useful if person has a long, confusing question)
- Empathy - Give back a story that is directly relevant to the other person's story and relate key points of their story to yours (be careful not to overshadow their story)
- Emotionally - Identify the emotion behind what the person is saying, refer directly to it, and ask them to confirm (combine this with one of the three other kinds of listening)
Tim Wilson
Professional Speech Coach
Free speaking tips at: http://speakingquicktips.blogspot.com
