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| active listening 'Active listening' means, as its name suggests, actively listening. That is fully concentrating on what is being said rather than just passively ‘hearing’ the message of the speaker. |
Listening is the most fundamental component of interpersonal communication skills.
Listening is not something that just happens (that is hearing), listening is an active process in which a conscious decision is made to listen to and understand the messages of the speaker. Listeners should remain neutral and non-judgmental, this means trying not to take sides or form opinions, especially early in the conversation. Active listening is also about patience - pauses and short periods of silence should be accepted. Listeners should not be tempted to jump in with questions or comments every time there are a few seconds of silence. Active listening involves giving the other person time to explore their thoughts and feelings, they should, therefore, be given adequate time for that. |
Signs of Active Listening
Non-Verbal Signs of Attentive or Active Listening
This is a generic list of non-verbal signs of listening, in other words people who are listening are more likely to display at least some of these signs. However these signs may not be appropriate in all situations and across all cultures.
Smile
Small smiles can be used to show that the listener is paying attention to what is being said or as a way of agreeing or being happy about the messages being received. Combined with nods of the head, smiles can be powerful in affirming that messages are being listened to and understood.
Eye Contact
It is normal and usually encouraging for the listener to look at the speaker. Eye contact can however be intimidating, especially for more shy speakers – gauge how much eye contact is appropriate for any given situation. Combine eye contact with smiles and other non-verbal messages to encourage the speaker.
Posture
Posture can tell a lot about the sender and receiver in interpersonal interactions. The attentive listener tends to lean slightly forward or sideways whilst sitting. Other signs of active listening may include a slight slant of the head or resting the head on one hand.
Mirroring
Automatic reflection/mirroring of any facial expressions used by the speaker can be a sign of attentive listening. These reflective expressions can help to show sympathy and empathy in more emotional situations. Attempting to consciously mimic facial expressions (i.e. not automatic reflection of expressions) can be a sign of inattention.
Distraction
The active listener will not be distracted and therefore will refrain from fidgeting, looking at a clock or watch, doodling, playing with their hair or picking their fingernails.
Active Listening: Why It Matters and 8 Tips for Success
1. Give them your full attention
People often try to multitask in order to make the most of their limited time. That’s understandable. Most people are busy. When it comes to active listening, though, you’ll want to show the speaker you’re focusing on them, not your grocery list or social media feed.
You may not realize it, but your body plays an important role in communication. Open, relaxed body language tells the other person you’re involved in the conversation, not ready to make your excuses at the earliest possible opportunity.
You probably learned not to interrupt in childhood, but a reminder never hurts.
When a conversation lulls, people often have an urge to fill the silence with an immediate reply. Silence isn’t necessarily a bad thing, though.
Reflecting, or paraphrasing, is a key component of active listening, but many people find it a tricky skill to master.
Someone communicating their distress or personal challenges won’t necessarily want a solution. They may just want to know someone hears them and cares about what they’re going through. They likely wouldn’t open up and share their feelings if they didn’t trust you. You can honor this trust, in part, by acknowledging their emotions as valid.
Active listening is part of communication, so aim to have a dialogue. A few quiet pauses are just fine, but try to avoid letting the silence stretch out.
At some point, you’ll probably find yourself listening to something you simply don’t agree with, but briefly setting aside your own opinions can help you keep an open mind.
This is all about active listening....
hope you learn alot from this
thanks you..
