You can’t just get good at one thing and expect to be successful at everything you try. As you pursue success in your career, it’s important to develop rapport with people, from your coworkers to the CEO of the company you’re trying to launch your product through. Here are three ways to establish relationships that will help you achieve success more quickly and easily than if you tried to go it alone.
Active listening improves relationships
Active listening is more than just hearing what others say, it's understanding their perspective and responding appropriately. Active listening is an effective way to not only build rapport with people but also understand how they feel about certain topics. Being able to listen actively can help you form deeper connections with other people and improve your relationships overall. Here are some ways you can use active listening skills to develop stronger relationships
Respond, don’t react
Understanding what others are trying to communicate, or why they’re doing it, will make you feel more comfortable around them. When you understand what makes them tick, you’ll also be able to predict their reactions better and act accordingly. These are all things that can help you feel more confident and in control of your interactions—which will make other people feel more at ease around you. But even if they don’t consciously notice it, these signals will get through on an unconscious level; after all, we pick up on nonverbal cues like body language in order to know how we should behave toward others! A smile might not tell someone they look nice today, but they’ll still come away from an interaction with a friendly person feeling better about themselves.
Question and affirm
By showing an interest in other people and seeking their input, you’ll get better results. When meeting new people, it’s tempting to only talk about yourself—but try doing more listening and asking questions. If you ask for advice on something that you are currently working on, not only will your interaction be interesting for them, but it will also make them feel like they can offer. The more we feel like we have something of value to add, the more comfortable we become around others and willing to listen as well. Start a conversation by simply saying What do you think? or Can I pick your brain? Remember though: Listen intently before speaking.
Can-do attitude
There is nothing worse than having someone who never gives up. An employer wants an employee who will fight for every job and will not take no for an answer. Everyone can have what they want as long as they are willing to work hard enough, no matter how old or young they are. There is no limit on how much you can achieve if you put your mind to it and work hard enough. If you want something in life, get up and go after it, even if it seems impossible. Always keep an open mind because then anything is possible!
Use body language effectively
Body language is a powerful tool and an integral part of nonverbal communication. Whether you’re in business, networking or just casually chatting with someone, it’s essential that you make good use of body language and eye contact. This will help you develop rapport with people and make others feel more comfortable around you. Your overall image is important, too: as mentioned above, try to look as sharp as possible when going out into public. A clean-cut appearance goes hand-in-hand with great body language; if your clothes are mismatched or are clearly worn out, it suggests that you don’t care about your appearance or how other people perceive you—and that can affect how well you get along with them.
Empathy
Being empathetic is not just something you should do if you want to be successful socially and professionally. Being empathetic actually makes you more likely to be successful in life. Empathy increases creativity, awareness, and even productivity. In fact, some of history’s most influential thinkers were extremely empathetic people (Albert Einstein, Walt Disney). Moreover, being empathetic will help bring out your inner leader.
Be solution-oriented
Asking solution-oriented questions will help you formulate and reach your goals. For example, if your goal is to lose weight and you need help with motivation, ask yourself What are two or three ways I can motivate myself? When in doubt, find someone who has achieved something similar and learn from them. If they've gotten there, so can you!
Be energetic and enthusiastic
Being enthusiastic can go a long way when you’re trying to make friends and influence people. It might seem like an obvious strategy, but it’s an easy thing to forget—and it doesn’t cost anything but your time. A positive attitude is infectious and draws people in—no one wants to be around someone who’s always complaining about how things are going wrong. Think about it: Who do you enjoy spending time with more? The friend who is always supportive or the one who is never satisfied? There is no reason that every aspect of your personality can’t be positive or constructive—even if you don’t feel that way all of the time!
Don’t be afraid to say no when needed
Asking for help is one of our greatest strengths as humans. When we use it correctly, we’re able to accomplish more and create better lives for ourselves. But sometimes we can get so focused on saying yes, that it doesn’t allow us to finish what we started. Our closets will be cluttered, our schedules will be filled, and at some point down the road, You don’t have to be a shut-in or hermit who says no all day long; instead just prioritize work in such a way that doesn’t sacrifice your long-term relationships or work ethic.
Practice active listening skills in your daily life
Active listening is an easy skill that, when practiced regularly, can do wonders for your social and professional lives. In any conversation or interaction, active listening will help you be more engaged and make others feel heard. When you think about it, most people don't really listen; they just hear what other people are saying (and usually respond immediately). One of my favorite ways to practice active listening is in any face-to-face conversation. Place one hand on your chin while holding eye contact with whoever's speaking—this forces you to really focus on what they're saying instead of thinking ahead or evaluating what you're going to say next.
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