How to Be an Active Listener

To be an active listener, you must first understand specific listening skills. Listening is an excellent ability to learn as it will benefit you in all aspects of your life. People enjoy talking and are constantly looking for somebody to listen to them. 

A great listener will pause before responding

They usually wonder, "What if this person is right in their thinking?" People have a terrible habit of speaking before they think, which can lead to various embarrassing or unpleasant scenarios. It is normal for your brain to desire to reply immediately; however, you should take time to think before speaking.

It is natural to desire to look away when it is hard to keep focused on someone. If you catch yourself doing this, consider nodding or making direct eye contact with the person. This lets them know you're paying attention. If you truly need to turn away for a moment, you can muffle a cough behind your hand.

Other suggestions for demonstrating that you are actively listening include:

• When speaking with someone, say their name every now and again,

• Making use of facial expressions, and

• Using the correct body language.

Five steps to becoming an active listener

Learning to listen is an essential life skill. Many parts of your life, such as how effectively you accomplish your job or the quality of your personal relationships, can be influenced by your listening abilities.

If you search for active listening examples, you will encounter various communication situations. While good communication skills involve the ability to convey ideas verbally or in writing, listening is an essential component of effective communication.

The following characteristics are cited as instances of active listening:

1. Pay close attention.

Give the speaker your full attention. Maintain eye contact and turn your body towards them. Pay attention to what is communicated through nonverbal communication, such as body language and gestures, in addition to what is expressed verbally, to truly get their message.

You must set aside any distracting thoughts to devote full focus. Do not plan your response during the speaker's turn. You're more likely to miss what's being said now if you're thinking about what you'll say next.

2. Give the speaker signs that you are paying attention.

Confirm your listening by using visual cues such as gestures and body language.

Making frequent eye contact and nodding when appropriate is a quick and easy approach to show that you're paying attention. This action expresses your agreement and shows that you're paying attention to what the speaker is saying.

Smiling, smiling, and other appropriate expressions are detailed responses that show you are listening to what is being stated.

3. React to their message

Maintain a friendly, open stance to demonstrate that you are open to what the speaker has to offer. This could include turning to face the speaker, leaning toward them, and being awake. Short interjections such as "uh-huh" or "yes" urge people to continue talking.

To demonstrate that you are actively engaged in a conversation, summarise what has been said regularly. When someone shares intimate feelings with you, paraphrasing can be especially helpful. In this manner, you may be sure you have a full grasp.

4. To clarify issues you don't understand, ask questions.

Always avoid interrupting the speaker and let them finish their thoughts. Interrupting someone is both impolite and unsetting. It also keeps you from listening to the entire message.

When the speaker has completed speaking, respond appropriately by sharing your ideas and opinions in response to what he has stated. You must be respectful even if you may not always agree with them.

5. Focus on what the speaker is saying.

It may take some time to adjust your behaviours if you are not used to concentrating closely on what is being stated. The more you practise, as with anything, the better you will get.

Repeat the speaker's words in your head to keep your mind focused on the meaning and to keep it from wandering.

As an active listener, you'll be astonished at how different things will sound to you. If you follow these suggestions, you will become an active listener and a better communicator.

Source: Market-Connections