The Speaker is elected at the beginning of a new Congress by a majority of the Representatives-elect from candidates separately chosen by the majority- and minority-party caucuses. These candidates are elected by their party members at the organizing caucuses held soon after the new Congress is elected.

Georgia State Representative since 2003

The current speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives is David Ralston. The current Speaker Pro Tempore is Jan Jones.

Speaker can be removed by the Lok Sabha by a resolution passed by an effective majority (>50% of total strength excluding vacancies) of the house as per Articles 94 and 96. The Speaker is also removed on being disqualified for being Lok Sabha member under sections 7 and 8 of Representation of the People Act, 1951.

By convention the speaker severs all ties with their political party while in office, as it is considered essential they be seen as an impartial presiding officer. In the House, the speaker does not vote on any motion, except to resolve ties (see section below).

As a listener, your role is to understand what is being said. This may require you to reflect what is being said and ask questions. * Reflect what has been said by paraphrasing. “What I’m hearing is…” and “Sounds like you are saying…” are great ways to reflect back.

But, good communication requires good listening as well as talking. In fact, since we have two ears and only one mouth, listening just might be the more important skill.

10 Ways to Be a Better Speaker and Listener

1. Get your thinking straight. The most common source of confusing messages is muddled thinking.
2. Say what you mean. Say exactly what you mean.
3. Get to the point.
4. Be concise.
5. Be real.
6. Speak in images.
7. Do it with thought and care.
8. Use your eyes.

7 Key Active Listening Skills

• Be attentive.
• Ask open-ended questions.
• Ask probing questions.
• Request clarification.
• Paraphrase.
• Be attuned to and reflect feelings.
• Summarize.