We’ve all been in a situation we wished we were more persuasive, more eccentric. We wanted to draw attention towards ourselves like magnets.
If you’re an introvert, a naturally shy person, or someone who has a hard time blending in a social context, you must find it hard to get people to listen to you. It may be relieving to know that almost all of us have struggled with this.
Most of us ask ourselves the following questions:
- Is there a way to up our social game and get people to seriously take what we have to say?
- Can we make our conversation topics more interesting and captivating?
- Would they then be prone to listen to what we have to say?
The mystery stretches on and on, and quite frankly, often seems like it bears no solution at all.
The good news is that getting people to listen to us does not depend as much on them as it does on us. Yes!
By changing a few things in your interactions, addressing, and overall perspective, you can make a huge difference. So, if you want to learn how to get people to listen to you, then look no further – this is the article for you!
#1 – Mind your body language.
Your physique conveys much more about you and what you are all about than your mouth does.
Non-verbal gestures such as your hand movements, jerks, posture, and even your expressions are broadcasting you to the world without you knowing it.
There are three key elements to remember here:
- It is best to keep a body language that is relaxed but also strong and confident. You don’t want to look uptight, but you want to radiate integrity. It’s all about the balance.
- An upright posture will convey you’re a confident person who means business. You know what your grandma used to say – straighten that back! Gently pull your shoulders down and back and stand tall.
- Steady eye contact is also a great way to show people that you are unafraid of telling things as they are. Looking people directly in the eye will make them prone to listen to you and what you have to say.
Non-verbal interactions are just as effective as their verbal counterparts. A good way to start if you have struggled with getting people to listen to you is to correct your body language.
#2 – Practice listening.
It is only fair that if we want others to listen to us, we have to indulge in the practice ourselves to get an accurate picture of what to do right.
While we listen to someone speak, we must make mental notes about the patterns and ways the person is talking. We may replicate similar methods when our own time comes. Learning from the people we spend time with is a great way to make the most of what we have.
Moreover, listening to others also increases our likability in their sight. They might feel more inclined to return the favor when we speak.
While listening may seem a simple act that defeats the purpose of what we are trying to accomplish, it helps a lot. An avid listener also has a better insight and knows what draws people in, and is smart enough to use it.
#3 – Objectivity is key.
A lot of people love to talk about themselves. While they might take this as their tendency to be relatable, what it actually does is convey the message that they are nothing but self-centered.
Let’s face it – no one wants to listen to someone who talks about themselves and nothing else whatsoever.
One good pointer to keep in mind is that while being relatable is good, being self-obsessed is not.
Some people are unaware of their impediment in this regard because they perceive their self-centering as subjectivity. If you have found yourself doing this, you might want to take a step back and reconsider your interaction pattern.
If you want to get people to listen to you, make sure you’re not simply talking their ear off with details about yourself that are bland to everyone else.
#4 – Have substance.
This tip may sound like a weird one. Please stick with us for a bit.
If you make sure that your conversations’ content holds some weight, then it won’t be long before people listen mindfully to what you have to say.
It is basic human nature that we expect a certain kind of input from a certain type of person, which draws from our past experiences with them. So, if you consistently provide good and enriching conversations, people will begin to expect that from you.
Talking simply for the sake of talking won’t get you anywhere. This is why you need to actively consider and improve the stories you present to those around you.
You might have seen that people always listen attentively to what the smart person in the room has to say, and now that you know that, you can build on it too.
#5 – Respect makes all the difference.
The thing about respect is that it draws in reciprocity. As mentioned before, listening to others is one of the many aspects we can show respect.
People reflexively respect the people that respect them, hence why the old saying “give respect and get respect” still holds weight. So, a very fool-proof way to get people to listen to you is to make sure you have their respect.
It is a very complex thing and is often confused with fear, likability, influence, attraction, and much more. But respect is very evident, and if people uninterruptedly listen to what you have to say, chances are very high that you have their appreciation.
Respect breeds respect, so it is an interesting thing to watch as it evolves as you grant courtesy and politeness to others.
Conclusion
In short, the philosophy on how you can get people to listen to you is very simple. It is all about giving those conversing with you a pleasant, interesting, and courteous engagement.
Of course, all of this connects to respecting your audience by not boring them to death with unnecessary and bland conversations that revolve around you and your own preferences solely.
Recap – How to get people to listen to you?
- Have strong, confident body language.
- Maintain eye contact when you talk.
- Listen intently to what other people have to say.
- Don’t talk only about yourself.
- Lead conversations that you can contribute to with valuable and interesting stories.
- Talk about things that people care about and are meaningful.
- Be a character of respect so that people will naturally give credit to what you have to say.
Which of the techniques above did you find the most useful? Let us know in the comments below right away.
