In order for effective communication to take place, good listening skills are ncessary. Done well, one also gains access to priceless information such as a customer’s need, an employee’s concern, or the new boss’ pet peeves.

Listening entails a lot more effort than just catching sound waves. Afterall, hearing is merely the first step in the process of listening. For true listening to occur, one also has to interpret, evaluate, understand, respond, and remember.

Here are five simple tips that can help make you a better listener.

Get rid of the noise. Noise does not only pertain to the unnecessary sounds in your surroundings. Other sources of noise include thoughts on unrelated matters, the attention-grabbing clutter on your desk or even physiological discomforts such as hunger. Make an effort to eliminate these noises when engaged in a conversation.

Cultivate interest. Be interested in the topic, or at least try to be by asking probing questions. Doing so doesn’t only show that you’re paying attention; it also allows for more information that may make your comments more substantive when it’s your turn to speak.

Have an open mind. We all have our opinions and, most of the time, they differ from the views of others. For fruitful listening to occur, however, it would be better to initially suspend judgment and personal biases to truly hear another person’s point of view.

Emphatize. There’s no better way to do it than by listening the way you want to be listened to. And this entails focusing on the person and what he or she is saying, even through non-verbal cues. Maintain eye contact. Make the person feel that what they’re saying is important to you.

Finally, make it a habit. Concious repetitive efforts create habits, so make it a point to sharpen your listening skills through every passing conversation. You’ll not only become a better listener but an effective one, too.