1. FOCUS ON THE SPEAKER

Make a conscious decision to listen. Remember, you can't listen when you're talking, so control your urge to speak.

Focus on the speaker. Don't just act like you're listening; really process what they are saying.

Give visual and verbal feedback. make eye contact with the speaker, turn your body toward the speaker and show by your physical behavior that you are listening (such as nodding your head if you agree).

2. UNDERSTAND

Try not to judge, and avoid jumping to conclusions - even if they are favorable ones. Listen first, make sure you understand, and then evaluate or argue what the speaker has said.

Try to find value in what you're hearing, even if you consider it boring.

Look for the most important ideas in the speaker's message.

Pay attention to body language as well - the speaker may be saying one thing, but their facial expression could be shouting something else.

3. CLARITY

Ask questions - it shows the speaker that you care about what they said. If you're unclear on something a speaker says, ask for clarification.

Mirror back what was said - restate in your own words the speaker's message. For example, "You said 'forget it,' but it sounds like you're mad. Are you?"

4. REMEMBERING

Try to create associations between what the speaker is saying and things that are important to you.

Write it down. Take notes, especially when in an important meeting. While listening to your boss, jot down ideas that you'll be asked to remember later.

Even the best communicators occasionally encounter obstacles when responding to another person. The good news is that these communication roadblocks can be removed by becoming a better listener.

Being aware of communication roadblocks is the first step to becoming a better listener. Being aware of communication roadblocks is the first step to becoming a better listener. Below are some common communication roadblocks to watch out for:

Judging or criticizing
Naming or labeling
Commanding or ordering
Moralizing
Diverting
Advising

Remember - as a listener, the way you respond to a speaker - whether it's your partner, friend, client, or child - has everything to do with whether or not you achieve effective communication. See below for a deeper exploration of communication roadblocks and what you can do about them.

MIRRORING BACK

Mirroring back is an effective tool for active listening. Restating what the speaker just said, for example, "This is what I heard you say," or "What I'm hearing is..." reaffirms that the listener is fully invested in the conversation. Everyone communicates and internalizes messages differently, which may result in common misunderstandings. The act of mirroring back demonstrates the listener's desire to gain clarity and genuine perspective of the speaker's words. And remember, as with all other practices, be intentional about your efforts to fine-tune your communication skills.

Use the guide below to gain a better understanding of communication roadblocks so that you can be more adept at avoiding them in your day-to-day communications.