How often have you been on the phone and lost the thread of what you were saying? Or worse still, somehow missed the gist of what the other person was talking about?

You know that nightmare feeling when they say “so what do you think?” and you have absolutely no idea what you should have an opinion about!

You got distracted by what someone else was doing across the road, or you absent mindedly started reading an email. You were listening but you didn’t actually hear anything. You weren’t concentrating!

One way to get around this is to focus on an inanimate object when you’re on the phone so you can’t get distracted. A light switch or door handle. Nothing too interesting, but something that you look at, when you would be looking at the other person during the conversation.

It will help you to really listen and hear what is being said, and with practice will mean that you become more responsive and focused when on the phone.

Try it our for yourself. Next time you call someone, rather than look out of the window, or check your emails while you speak, pick an object to look at. After the call consider whether you think it made a difference. And if you dare, ask the person you were talking to if they thought the conversation flow was better than usual!

Let me know how it goes for you at questions@partnerswithyou.co.uk.

  • Sally Hindmarch is a communication skills specialist and runs Partners With You, a company that helps people improve the way they come across at work