Getting others to pay attention when you speak might require improving your communication style. Some people know how to captivate an audience. It doesn’t matter what they say, others stop and listen every time they open their mouths. This might not be the case with you. There are, however, simple strategies to command attention and get others to listen to you.
You may think you're being clear and concise when you speak, but others might hear a lot of blah, blah, blah. Before opening your mouth to speak, make sure you have a clear idea of what you want to say. Don't use too many words, and don't talk just to hear yourself speak. People will get bored and stop paying attention.
If you don’t know what you’re talking about, or if you're trying to fake your intelligence, others may realize your game and stop paying attention. Make sure you have something valuable to contribute to conversations. Additionally, make sure you have your facts straight and you're providing accurate information. If people can't trust anything that comes out of your mouth, they're not going to listen when you speak.
People might also stop listening if you're always complaining or whining about your life. Everyone goes through ups and downs. Understand that people are dealing with their own issues, and they don’t have time to be consumed by yours. Stop being negative and add a little positivity to discussions.
If you want people to listen to you, make a practice of listening to what others have to say. If you ask a question that a person just answered, she’ll know you weren’t listening. If you don’t listen, neither will others.
It doesn't matter how excited you are or what you have to share, don't interrupt people while they’re speaking. This is one of the fastest ways to get people to stop listening to you. You have to treat others the way you expect to be treated. So if you like to interrupt and talk over people, don't get mad when they give you the same treatment.
You can also improve the way people respond by being enthusiastic when you speak. This doesn't mean going overboard and talking loud or being overly animated. But if you’re enthusiastic when sharing a story, or if you speak with passion about an accomplishment, your voice and face will light up. You'll command attention from others and they'll want to hear what you have to say — even if it's just out of curiosity.
You need to have confidence when speaking to others. This might be hard if you're shy or unsure of yourself. However, others might not take you seriously or listen if you speak in a very low tone or if you never make eye contact. You have a voice and you deserve to be heard, so speak up and make others take notice of you.
Improving your communication style doesn’t only help when communicating with your peers, it can also help you in the workplace. Remember to be enthusiastic, confident and always treat others the way you want to be treated.
Can you think of other tips for improving your communication and getting others to listen to you? Share your ideas and comments.