2 Easy Ways You Can Get People To Listen

Most people aren't actually as good at listening as they think they are according to CNBC Make It. Most individuals think that they're highly attentive, however, a report done by the University of Southern California showed that about 70% of them actually have bad listening habits. 

Matt Abrahams is a communication consultant and organizational behavior lecturer at Stanford University. Abrahams has two main strategies that he recommends using to get your audiences full attention.

If you’re with your chatting coworkers and your boss comes into the room and stands behind a podium looking at the group silently, there’s a large chance that everyone will stop talking and pay attention. The same thing happens in classrooms when students are talking over a lecture and the teacher goes silent and stares at them. 

“One of the best things to do to command attention and get people to be quiet is to actually just stand in front of them and not say anything,”  Abrahams stated. It might feel uncomfortable and awkward to do if it takes more than four seconds, but this awkwardness is part of what draws people's attention.

Abrahams says that saying something with no warning that is thought-provoking or powerful can have the same type of effect not saying anything has. 

He then goes on to say that just recently while he was teaching about nonverbal presence he used this strategy. While his class was talking he stood in front of them for a moment before he said “how you say something is often as important or more important than what you say.” Abrahams then says that he paused for a moment and once he noticed that he still didn't have their full attention he repeated what he said. After that the whole class was quiet.

In our busy lives, it often feels like we spend more time in the office than at home. Work can get crazy, and sometimes, our manners take a back seat. Workplace etiquette is all about how we act and interact at work, from how we dress to how we chat with our colleagues or handle shared spaces. With evolving ideas about work and shifting societal norms, office etiquette can sometimes be confusing. Regardless of cultural variations, maintaining basic office etiquette is a way to show respect for the people we work with and the job we do together.

Good office etiquette covers a lot, especially given the changes in how we work in recent years, including remote setups and virtual communication. Going the extra mile sometimes means arriving a bit early, depending on your job and office culture. It's a signal to your boss that you're a go-getter.

Many offices are shared spaces, so cleaning up after yourself is a big deal. It helps you get along with your colleagues. Additionally, looking sharp and presentable is important unless you're in a super relaxed work setting that embraces flip-flops and t-shirts. This etiquette applies to everything, from weekly meetings with the boss to work parties.

It's also wise to be ready to share your thoughts when your boss asks for input in meetings. It's a chance to showcase your engagement and professionalism, contributing to productive discussions and decision-making.

While office etiquette training typically covers professional boundaries related to issues like gender, religion, and sexuality, it’s essential to respect your colleagues' time and personal space.

Just as there's good workplace etiquette, there are some things you should avoid. Mastering office etiquette might not be rocket science, but it's the key to a pleasant and productive work environment. It's about showing respect for your fellow workers and understanding the shared spaces where you all spend so much time.

To help you avoid these potential pitfalls, we've compiled a list of office behaviors you should avoid.

At the office, it's usually best to leave your personal problems at the door. Sharing too much about your personal life can make your coworkers uncomfortable, and it might affect your professional image. We all have our ups and downs, but oversharing personal issues, like that big breakup or crazy weekend, can make your coworkers feel a bit awkward. Imagine you're in the middle of a team meeting discussing a project, and someone suddenly launches into the intricacies of their dating life. But, when it's an emergency, like someone in the family falling sick or a personal health issue, don't hesitate to let the right people know.

In the realm of office etiquette, there are some unspoken rules regarding food. First, it's just common sense not to talk with your mouth full. Secondly, it's a clear no-no to help yourself to someone else's food from the office fridge. Lastly, be mindful of what you heat in the microwave. Strong-smelling dishes like onion and anchovy pizza can be a bit overwhelming for everyone else. Don't forget about popcorn in the microwave. Burnt popcorn smell isn't pleasant for anyone. So, keep an eye on it while it's popping.

While it's great to stay fresh and clean at work, you'd typically want to steer clear of doing your personal grooming stuff in the office. That means no nail clipping, nail polishing, nose-picking, or any other grooming rituals that might make your coworkers cringe. Save that stuff for your personal time.

In a cramped office with thin walls and no private doors to shut, you should be considerate of the shared space. It's a good idea to keep personal calls and loud chit-chat to a minimum, especially in open workspaces. Nobody wants their concentration derailed, right? And speaking of noise, save the rock concert-level music and the crazy loud social media videos for after hours.

Maintaining a tidy workspace is a must. You wouldn't want to become known as the person with the messy cubicle that has an odd odor, right? Whether you have a desk all to yourself or not, keeping it clean and organized can do wonders for your daily productivity and overall work experience.

Showing up to work with poor hygiene is a no-go. For starters, it's all about keeping things professional and respecting your colleagues. Nobody wants to sit next to a coworker with funky smells, right? Feeling fresh and clean can boost your mood and your work game. If you ever need a quick hygiene fix, no shame in stepping away to use some deodorant or give your teeth a brush in the bathroom.

Whether you're in an open office or a cubicle doesn't matter. Respecting personal space is a must. Being considerate of your colleagues' belongings and giving them room to breathe is key. It ensures a productive and respectful office atmosphere where everyone can focus without feeling crowded or uncomfortable.

While a slip of a swear word might happen to the best of us in the office, you can't predict what language might rub a coworker or boss the wrong way. To keep the peace, it's a good plan to steer clear of strong language in your office chats and messages. And when it comes to those work emails, stick to pro-speak. It's just safer and smoother that way.

Leave things as you found them. For instance, if you happen to use up the last sheet of copy paper, it's a common courtesy to make sure it gets replaced. This small act of consideration contributes to a cooperative atmosphere and ensures that the office operates seamlessly. It's a simple yet effective way to demonstrate respect for your colleagues and the workplace as a whole.