Fidget Less to Listen More Effectively

If you're trying to improve your listening skills or impress upon the speaker that they have your undivided attention it's better to err on the side of stillness.

Photo by The U.S. Army.

It's easy to get antsy, especially if you're a high-energy person, when someone else is speaking. Fidgeting and moving around is distracting to both the listener and the speaker, however. Over at Stepcase Lifehack they've put together a list of ways you can be a better listener including getting your wandering limbs and fidgeting under control:


Control Your Limbs: You've probably been in conversations with people who talk with their limbs; most use their hands. Listening with limbs is another story. Confession: I am a pen-clicker. You know those annoying people who click their pens without realizing it? I am one. If I click my pen while you're talking, you'll probably be distracted. If I rearrange my silverware at dinner while you're talking, you'll be distracted. So I got rid of my click-able pens and made a point to avoid behaviors that not only distracted others but also caused them to think I wasn't listening (in most cases, I probably wasn't).

Moving around is one thing if you're the speaker but when you're the listener it sends the message that you're not really totally engaged in what the speaker is saying. Check out the full article at the link below for more listening tips or sound off in the comments below with your own tips and tricks for both listening effectively and making sure the speaker knows they have your attention.