by Gilda Bonanno
Communication is a two-way street. When you're communicating at a meeting, in a networking conversation or a formal presentation, it should never be a monologue.
It’s not just about you talking and the other person or people absorbing what you say – you need to listen to ensure you understand them and that they understand you.
Active listening in an important communication skill which is often overlooked.
For example, in a networking conversation (whether virtual or in person), you need to ask open-ended questions that invite the other person to share and then listen to the answers. Open-ended questions require more than a yes or no response and allow the person to provide more information if they would like to.
Examples include “What got you interested in the work that you're doing?” or “What's something that you’re looking forward to (personally or professionally)?” Once you receive a response, you can prompt for more with a follow up such as “Tell me more” or “That sounds interesting – how does that work?”
When you’re listening, you are listening with the intent to understand rather than figuring out your rebuttal or your reply in your mind.
The use of active listening when you’re giving a presentation may be less obvious than in a networking conversation, but it’s equally as important. Yes, you may be the one doing most of the talking, but you also need to be listening – in a literal sense and in a figurative sense.
In a literal sense, you want to listen to whatever questions the audience asks. Figuratively, you want to listen for their reactions and their body language. How are they responding to your presentation?
In every situation where you are communicating, make sure you are also listening. If communication is just a one-way street, it’s not communication – it’s just you talking.
© Gilda Bonanno LLC - Gilda Bonanno serves as a trusted advisor to executives and entrepreneurs to transform their communication, presentation and leadership skills. She has worked with companies on 4 continents, from Chicago to Shanghai and Rio to Rome. The instructional videos on her YouTube channel have received over 1.5 million views and her e-newsletter has reached subscribers in over 45 countries since 2008. For other articles or to receive Gilda's e-newsletter, visit www.gildabonanno.com