We hear people talk all the time – but are we really listening to any of it? Genuinely listening to someone helps build relationships, resolve conflicts, and solve problems.

Here are ten ways to improve your active listening skills.

#1 Keep an Open Mind

Start every conversation with a reminder to keep an open mind. Most of us are quick to judge what other people say but jumping to conclusions before hearing someone out doesn’t help anyone.

#2 Don’t Interrupt

Always give the other person time to tell their story – don’t interrupt them in the middle of a sentence. Everyone speaks at a different pace so step back and let them tell their story. You probably want to get your thoughts out without interruption so it’s safe to assume that others do too.

#3 Pay Attention to Body Language

So much communication is non-verbal and you can gain a significant amount of information by simply paying attention to someone’s body language. Whether you notice a raised eyebrow, widening of the eyes, or deflated shoulders, paying attention to body language will give you countless clues to what’s someone else is thinking or feeling.

#4 Ask Questions

There’s no such thing as a one-sided discussion. If you’re unclear on something, it’s usually a good idea to ask for clarification. Do you want to learn more? Do you need more details in order to take the next step? Do you want to build the relationship? Asking questions is the only way to clear up confusion and it’s a great way to learn new things and continue a dynamic conversation.

#5 Practice Empathy

Put yourself in the speaker’s shoes. For example, if your friend is happy about a recently completed work assignment, tell them you’re happy for them and that you know how excited or relieved they must be. Or, if a co-worker is going through a difficult time, expressing empathy and kindness tells them you care about their feelings.

#6 Provide Feedback

Giving feedback tells the speaker that you’re actively listening and engaged in the conversation. Your feedback can be as simple a head nod or saying “go on.” Or you can ask a question or give your opinion or take on the situation. Communication is a two-way street so both parties need to be actively involved.

#7 Take Notes

An often-overlooked way to improve your listening skills is to take notes during the conversation. Taking notes is especially important if your boss is assigning tasks or if someone is detailing complicated information. Studies show that writing something down helps you remember it better – and it’s always good to have notes to refer back to later if you happen to forget something or if there are conflicting thoughts about what was communicated.

#8 Avoid Distractions

Distractions are all around us – the phone is ringing, emails are coming in, kids are playing. However, the more distractions you can eliminate, the better you’ll be able to concentrate on the speaker and avoid being sidetracked by the endless stream of things going on around you.

#9 Don’t Offer an Immediate Solution

Do you find yourself offering ideas or solutions before the other person is even done speaking? Sometimes, probably most of the time, it’s better to listen to the entire story before offering your opinions. Taking the extra time to listen will give you greater insight and can help you avoid mistakes.

#10 Maintain Eye Contact

Eye contact can be tricky but it’s widely suggested that you make some eye contact with the speaker. There’s a fine line between too much eye contact and not enough, but we tend to accept eye contact as proof that someone is paying attention so it’s best to make eye contact periodically while listening to someone.

10 Ways to Improve Your Listening Skills