1. STOP TALKING!
    You cannot listen if your are talking.

2. PUT THE SPEAKER AT EASE!
    Help them to feel that they are free to talk.  This is often called a permissive environment.

3.  SHOW THEM THAT YOU WANT TO LISTEN.
    Look and act interested.  Do not listen to television, talk on the phone or read your mail while
    they're  talking.  Listen to understand rather than to reply.

4.  REMOVE DISTRACTIONS
     Don’t doodle, tap or shuffle papers.
     Close the door if it would be quieter.

5. EMPATHIZE WITH THEM!
    Try to put yourself in their place so that you can see their point of view.

6. BE PATIENT.
    Allow them plenty of time.  Do not interrupt them.  Don’t start for the door or walk away.

7. HOLD YOUR TEMPER!
    An angry man gets the wrong meaning from words.

8. GO EASY ON ARGUMENT AND CRITICISM.
   This puts them on the defensive.  They may stop talking or get angry.  Do not argue; even if you
    win, you will loose the relationship.

9. ASK QUESTIONS
    This encourages them and shows that you are listening.  It helps to develop the points further.
    But they will know if you are being nosy!

10. STOP TALKING!
     This is the first and the last because all commandments depend upon it.  You just cannot do
     a good listening job while you are talking.

Nature gave man two ears but only one tongue, which is a gentle hint that he should listen more than talk.