TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR GOOD LISTENING

1. STOP TALKING
You cannot listen if you are talking.
Shakespeare: "Give every person thine ear, but few thy voice"

2. PUT THE TALKER AT EASE
Help the person feel that he/she is free to talk This is often called a "permissive environment"

3. SHOW THE PERSON THAT YOU WANT TO LISTEN
Look and act interested.
Listen to understand rather than to reply.

4. REMOVE DISTRACTIONS
Do not doodle, tap, or shuffle papers.