Third Techniques to capture your listener’s attention

The third technique to capture a listeners attention is parables. Parables are sayings or stories that create a mental picture or image to the listener that connects with them in a emotional way.  A parable causes three effects in the hearer that help them to look, listen and learn.  An effective parable will enable the hearer to:

• See what you are saying
• Hear what you are saying
• Understand what you are saying

A parable is a saying or story that creates a picture or image in the mind of the hearer that brings clarity or understanding of what you are try to convey to them. There seven ways parables can be effective.

1. They can capture the attention of the hearer.

2. They may convince the hearer to take another look at what you are saying.

3. It could bring light and life to your conversation.

4. They may make a lasting impact on the memory of the hearer.

5. It may create a deeper relationship between you and the listener.

6. They can be used to lessen the blow of criticism, by making the criticism third party (less direct).

7. It may enable people with different personality types to understand each other better.

These are seven potential benefits to using parables in you communication with others. Parables are also called proverbs. The following are steps you can take to develop the able to use parables or proverbs.

Five steps to creating and using parables

1. Remember stories or sayings that you have heard that have impacted you and consider how you can use them when talking to other people.

2. Think how you can create your own customized parables.

3. Study other people interest.

4. Practice and/or write down parables and become more conscious of them.

5. Develop patience to only use the parables when people have the time to hear them.