How to Actively Listen
You can improve your listening skills by utilizing the following five active listening strategies:
- Concentrate
Give the speaker your full attention and nod in agreement with what they are saying. Be aware that nonverbal communication can also be very loud.
Direct your gaze at the speaker.
Leave distracting thoughts behind.
Do not mentally formulate a response!
Avoid letting other influences distract you. side chats, as an illustration.
“Pay attention” to the speaker’s nonverbal cues.
- Demonstrate Your Attention
To demonstrate that you are paying attention, use your own gestures and body language.
occasionally nod.
Make additional facial expressions and smile.
Make sure you’re standing with an open, inquisitive stance.
Make brief vocal comments like “uh huh” and “yeah” to prod the speaker to continue.
- Offer criticism
What we hear may be distorted by our own personal filters, presumptions, judgments, and beliefs. It is your responsibility as a listener to comprehend what is being said. You might need to consider what is being said and pose inquiries in order to accomplish this.
Use paraphrase to consider what has been said. Great methods to reflect back are “What I’m hearing is… ” and “Sounds like you are saying… “
To further explain some issues, ask questions. When you say, “What do you mean…” Is that what you mean, then?
Recap the speaker’s points from time to time.
- Postpone judgment
Time is wasted when someone interrupts. The speaker becomes irritated, and the message cannot be fully understood.
Before raising questions, let the speaker complete each point.
Avoid interjecting with refutations.
- React Sufficiently
Respect and understanding are promoted by active listening. Your knowledge and perspective are expanding. By criticizing the speaker or otherwise demeaning her, you don’t accomplish anything.
When responding, be frank, transparent, and truthful.
Respectfully state your ideas.
Think about how you would like to be treated, and treat the other person accordingly.
