Communication is one of the most important tools managers and business owners have to ensure their success. It touches every area of the business including interaction with employees and peers. It is crucial to creating an atmosphere and leadership style that people feel comfortable in and are motivated to work.

One of the most important tips I have learned throughout my career is in order to be an effective communicator and leader you must learn to listen, and I mean really HEAR people. Here are 10 tips that I have picked up that will help you become a better communicator and as a result a better leader through listening.

1. Stop Talking! This is sometimes the most difficult one for people to overcome. It is incredibly difficult to really listen to someone if you continue to talk, so be quiet and let them speak.
   
2. Make them feel at ease. Create and environment in which people have the space and time to speak their mind. You can do this by how we look at them and how we have positioned ourselves. If you relax, chances are they will as well.
   
3. Show them that you WANT to hear them. Your nonverbal cues can make a big difference. Look at them and nod when you agree, ask them to explain further if you don’t understand. Take the time to listen to what they are saying instead of just waiting for your turn to speak.
   
4. Remove ALL distractions. A good listener cannot read emails, review paperwork or answer phone calls during a conversation. Show the person you are committed to the conversation by avoiding all of these things and giving them your full, undivided attention.
   
5. Show empathy. It is important that you take a moment to try to understand where the person is coming from especially if they are telling you something personal or even something you disagree with. Take the time to look at it from their perspective and try to understand their point of view.
   
6. Be patient. It is not easy for everyone to readily find the right words to say, make a point, or even clarify their point of view. Regardless, it is important that you stay patient with them and do not demonstrate impatience or try to jump in with your reply simply because you are unable to wait for them to finish speaking.
   
7. Keep your emotions in check. Sometimes what people say can stir up an emotional response in you. It is important that you continue to listen carefully to what the other person is saying and pay attention to their intent and meaning. Often when we observe an emotional response, we tend to miss critical parts of what is being said to us.
   
8. Be slow to argue or criticize. More than likely there will be times when you disagree with an employee. If you respond with anger or criticism it can put them on the defensive, which will shut down the openness of communication. If you openly criticize or disagree with your employees, it can damage the effectiveness of any future communication with them.
   
9. Ask questions. Don’t leave a conversation without fully understanding what the other person was trying to say. Engage in the conversation and ask questions, have them explain more if you don’t understand. Doing this will help ensure you have a complete understanding of what was said and it shows interest in getting the most out of that conversation.
   
10. Make eye contact. Shifty eyes and continuous side glances generally make people uncomfortable and unsure if you really want to be in the conversation. Keep good eye contact (not a stare) when someone is speaking to you and when you speak to show your attention is on them.
    

As a general rule, try to focus on mastering one or two of these tips at a time so not to become overwhelmed with a new communication style. By putting some of these tips into practice you will increase your skills as an effective communicator and begin to see noticeable results with your conversations with both peers and employees.