StartupTalky

Tag: Good Listener

  • How to Start Conversation With Stranger? | 6 Ways to Start Conversation With Strangers

    The conversation is our primary way of expressing our ideas, opinions, goals, and feelings to those we come into contact with. It is also the primary means of beginning and establishing friendships and relationships. Starting a conversation with someone you have never met before can be stressful and difficult unless you have the right mindset. Starting a conversation with a stranger gives you a whole new experience. It can change your perspective. To start a conversation with a stranger just gather enthusiasm, positivity, and energy. The key to holding a long conversation is F O R D.

    F- Family

    O- Occupation

    R- Recreation

    D- Dreams

    It is an empowering mindset to be able to create a conversation with potentially anyone. The ability to communicate in an informal and friendly manner is essential for every aspect of a person’s business, social, and personal life.

    The problem arises when comfort and confidence are replaced by anxiety and fear. In this article, we will talk about some tips on how you can start conversing with a stranger. So. let’s get started.

    Body Language
    Risk vs Rejection
    Ask Ritual Questions
    Know What to Say by Listening
    Take the Help of Free Information
    Disclose Free Information

    Body Language

    One of our most important communication skills does not come from the tongue, but also from our body. Research has shown that over half of face to face conversation is nonverbal. ‘Body languages’ often communicate our feelings and attitudes before we speak. We are judged quickly by the first signals we give off and if the first impressions are not open and friendly it will be difficult to maintain a good conversation. The following technique will be very much helpful.

    Body language + Tone of voice + Words = Total Communication

    With practice and greater awareness of body language, you will be able to encourage others to approach you and feel comfortable. When you meet a stranger at a party the easiest way to start the conversation is to introduce yourself.

    Risk vs Rejection

    It takes a certain amount of risk to begin a conversation with a stranger. Most shy people don’t start conversations because they fear being rejected. This prevents them from reaching out to others. One thing that keeps in mind is that risk-taking and rejection are part of life. The advantage of being the first to say hello is that it allows you to guide the direction of the conversation, and gives the other person the impression that you are confident, friendly, and open. The more you practice starting a conversation, the better responses you will get. But all the people are not alike. You may be rejected sometimes, use it as a lesson and adjust your approach for next time. If you are rejected don’t automatically assume it’s your fault.

    Ask Ritual Questions

    Ritual questions are easy to answer requests for information. Ritual questions can be used to overcome someone you don’t know and wish to speak to. The easiest way to start a conversation with a stranger is to notice something interesting about the person you wish to speak with. Second, you notice something that the person is carrying. Thirdly you start a conversation is to making a comment or asking a question based on the situation. It is best to focus on positive things rather than complaining about the negative. Ritual questions are good for breaking the fear and starting a conversation. Exchanging ritual information also follows you to prepare to introduce yourself to the other person.

    There are two types of ritual questions one is closed-ended which asks for a yes, no or short answer and another one is open-minded which asks for a more detailed answer.

    Some examples of close-ended ritual questions are listed below:

    • Do you live around here?
    • Do you like food?
    • What time is it?
    • Are you going to the park?
    • When did you get here?
    • Where are you from?
    • Are you enjoying your stay here?
    • Is this your first visit here?

    Some examples of open-minded ritual questions are listed below:

    • How did you find your apartment?
    • In what ways do you think this country (city, college, etc.) has changed?
    • How did you get involved in that line of work?
    • Why did you decide to move there?
    • What brings you to our town?
    • What do you like to do on your days off?

    Know What to Say by Listening

    Know what to say next by listening carefully for keywords, facts, opinions, feelings, and most of all free information. Conversation problems include poor listening, memory, and concentration skills. People speak slowly and with lengthy pauses between thoughts. Asking relevant follow-up questions based on what the other person has said shows you are listening. Close-ended questions help to clarify facts and details. Open-ended questions encourage the speaker to elaborate and suggest that you are interested in the topic.

    A good listener is actively involved in the conversation and can often relate to what the speaker is going to say next. This involvement shows concern and interest, and will usually reinforce facts and details. Conversations are more fun when you get actively involved. By participating, you will improve your listening skills. You link your prior knowledge and experience.

    Take the Help of Free Information

    By taking advantage of free information, you can guide the direction of the conversation. Ask open-minded questions that refer to the free information. Free information is communicated by a person’s clothing, physical features, body language, personal behaviour, and activities, as well as by words. Listen carefully to topics that may wish to avoid discussing.

    Disclose Free Information

    Self-disclosure lets others get to know you on your terms. The information you share with the people you meet determines how they get to know you. Once you take a look at what is being revealed, the details are not secrets that must be kept. After people exchange greetings they usually exchange some basic personal facts. Another self-disclosure provides a background of experiences and information. Revealing personal opinions and preferences on different subjects. In this case, you can reveal your attitudes, values, and concerns. Reveal your goals, struggles and all your skills.

    Conclusion

    Conversing with a stranger may seem intimidating but it is a necessity. It helps you in networking and creating professional relationships for your job or business. Communication is the key to everything, it is the only way that we channel our ideas and thoughts to others. So while conversing with a stranger the above tips will definitely be a help.

    FAQs

    How to start a conversation with someone you don’t know?

    To start a conversation with a stranger, you need to:

    • Introduce yourself.
    • Start with the basics.
    • Be aware of your body language.
    • Disclose free information.
    • Make eye contact.

    What are Communication Skills?

    Communication skills are the activities that make your performance ultimately a good one. Communication skills are very important in every human being’s life it is used in both, your personal life and your professional life.

    How to communicate effectively with your clients?

    Here are the effective ways to communicate with clients:

    • Be a Good Listener.
    • Be Professional.
    • Talk Positively.
    • Bridge The Communication Gap.
    • Speak With Confidence.
    • Do Your Research.
    • Use Their Talk.
    • Right Body Language.
    • Respect Your Client.
    • Wait For a Response.
    • Note How You End The Conversation.

  • Guide to Improve Listening Skills

    Listening is an indispensable part of the communication process. Listening skill aids in establishing an effective link between the management and the employees. Listening skills also influence consumers and other businesses. So, it becomes necessary for every person to have good listening skills in business as well as in daily life. To develop good listening skills and become a good listener, one should know the qualities of the same.

    A good listener is someone who hears carefully, attentively, and sympathetically for giving support and understanding to the speaker.

    Why is listening important in  Business Organisation?

    Listening is an important part of business communication as it lets you acquire facts that may help in making decisions that benefit your business. Listening helps in:

    Gaining Information

    Listening gives additional insights; for example, listening to a job applicant helps to discover his attitude towards the profession and information not detailed in his resume. This information can help us decide the suitability of the applicant in the organization.

    Conflict Resolution

    Workplace conflicts and unhappy customers create an inefficient work atmosphere. Good listening can turn this situation into an opportunity for growth.

    Productivity

    Effective listening affects the productivity of the organization. By listening to the employees, the manager can solve the problems that increase the efficiency of employees.

    Creating Powerful Working Relationships

    In establishing effective working relationships between different parts of the organization, listening plays a key role. The working relationships include employee groups, between management and staff, and suppliers or vendors.

    Types of Listeners 

    How to be a Better Salesperson
    “Selling is really about having conversations with people and helping improvetheir company or their life. If you look at it like that, selling is a veryadmirable thing to do.″- Lori Richardson ‌‌A salesperson is a professional whose role within a company is to sell theproduct or service that ar…
    StartupTalkyGorish Dua

    Ways/tips to be a good listener

    Be Interested

    Pay attention and be interested. People think that listening means being quiet until it is their turn to speak, but it is not. Listen with all your senses, and give thoughtful attention(non-judgemental, open-minded, and respectful) to another person.

    Listening is receiving

    Through listening, we gain trust and receive the vulnerability of another person. Be a blank canvas for another person by letting the speaker share ideas, thoughts, feelings, and whatever else is going in his mind. Let the person know that you are interested by nodding head or smile.

    Maintain eye contact

    A good listener makes eye contact while having a conversation with the speaker. Adjust yourself to the person talking by noticing the degree of eye contact they are making with you throughout the conversation. In this way, people feel understood.

    Avoid Interrupting the speaker

    Provide enough space for the speaker to let it all out without any interruptions. Interrupting the speaker to agree or disagree causes the speaker to lose track of what they are saying. After the speaker stops speaking, you can give your opinions.

    Acknowledge And Empathize

    Good listening does not mean complete silence. When the time comes to speak, restate to the person what you heard them say. Use a responsive tone rather than being reactive. Empathetic connection towards the speaker helps in forming a good relationship.

    Ask Questions

    Asking questions frequently is one of the best ways to show that you are engrossed in listening. Use open-ended questions that demand more than a yes or no response.

    Do not give unasked advice

    You may have a lot of good ideas and pieces of advice for the person speaking to us about their problems. Offering solutions may hurt people’s feelings.

    Think Before Responding

    When you speak, let your words be a reflection of your careful listening.

    Use Positive Body Language

    A good listener always leans forward and expresses interest in what is being spoken. By smiling or showing concern, they let the speaker know that they are being heard. Correct body language makes you a good listener.

    Make an offering

    After acknowledging and empathizing, you have the option of offering more help to the person. You can ask them if they need any help or feedback from you. This shows that you care for them, and they will be comfortable talking to you.

    How to Talk to Potential Clients As a Freelancer
    Let’s start with a question, how do you rate your communication skills? And doyou know in between good communication and bad communication lies several jobsthat you could have bagged and had you paid a little attention to the somethingas basic as the way you talk? The point is that one of the bes…
    StartupTalkyNiku Mandal

    What Makes People Poor Listeners?

    Many barriers can hinder productive listening. These barriers include disturbances, incapability to prioritize information, jumping to conclusions, and tendency to assume. The most common barriers to communication are under-

    Barriers to Active Listening

    Low Concentration

    Low concentration can result from various psychological or physical factors such as visual distractions, lack of interest, stress, or discomfort. Both the listener and speaker should be aware of these hindrances so that there is no barrier to communication.

    Lack of Prioritization

    Focusing too much attention on least important information can lead to a lack of prioritization. Listeners should be able to pick the important points while listening.

    Poor Judgement

    Overlooking aspects of the communication and making judgments before all of the information is presented is the cause for poor judgment.

    Focusing on Style, Not Substance

    Distracting elements in a speech can divert information away from the most crucial information in the communication. To avoid such obstructions, listeners should be informed of biases and focus on the substance rather than the style of the speaker’s voice.

    After knowing what hinders the communication, both listener and speaker should try not to do the aforesaid things.

    Improving Communication Skills And Social Skills For Success
    Today’s world is all about showing your best social skills and communicationskills for marketing yourself. The budding entrepreneurs constantly need to sellthemselves and market their business ideas. To bucket up the investors for thebusiness, one needs to attend social gatherings and socialize w…
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    Benefits of Being a Good Listener

    You will Be More Focused

    Good listening requires the listener to pay attention to what others are saying. This quality to focus is a great tool in every situation, as focusing helps in knowing things/information in a better way.

    In Building Strong Relationships

    When you are a good listener, you connect with others effortlessly by showing you are trustworthy, honest, and supportive.

    You will Process Information Better

    When you are not focused on a specific outcome out of the conversation, you will be present-  which allows you to focus on the current situation instead of wandering anywhere else. This helps in getting the important information you need.