Lately, conversations feel like competitions where the loudest person wins. Everyone talks, but no one listens.

As women, we love to express ourselves, but sometimes it’s crucial to just listen and understand the emotions and intentions behind the words.

Think about how it feels when you’re sharing your thoughts, but it seems like no one’s really hearing you. It’s frustrating, right? Others feel the same way when we don’t listen to them. If you find it hard to listen more and speak less, here are some simple tips:

Be present: Give your full attention when talking to someone. Imagine you’re chatting with a friend and your phone keeps buzzing. Instead of glancing at your phone, put it away. Look at your friend, listen to them, and show you care about the conversation. It makes them feel valued and heard.

Active listening: Show you’re really listening by nodding, making eye contact, and summarizing what they said. For example, if your friend talks about a tough day at work, you can say, “So, your boss gave you extra work, and it made you feel really stressed?” This shows you understand and are engaged.

Ask open-ended questions: Encourage more sharing by asking questions that need more than a yes or no answer. Instead of asking, “Did you have a good day?” ask, “What was the best part of your day?” This invites them to share more details and keeps the conversation flowing.

Resist interrupting: Let them finish speaking before you jump in with your thoughts. Interrupting can make them feel like what they’re saying isn’t important. If a friend is excitedly telling you about a new hobby, resist the urge to cut in with your own story. Wait until they’re done, then share your thoughts. This shows respect for their turn to speak.

Reflect on your conversations: After a conversation, take a moment to think about it. Consider what was discussed and how you responded. If a friend confided in you about a problem, think about how you reacted. Did you offer support? Did you listen well? Reflecting helps you improve your communication skills for future conversations. Next time you’re in a conversation, try to listen with intention and speak with purpose. You’ll be surprised at what you can learn and the connections you can build.