In this blog article, you will understand<\/strong> why active listening<\/strong> is important, how it\u2019s used in coaching<\/strong>, and what techniques improve your active listening skills<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Active listening<\/strong> is about processing<\/a> and being willing to understand<\/strong> the meaning and intent behind what a person<\/strong> is saying. When you are actively listening<\/strong>, you are mindful<\/a> and focused, curious and non-judgmental.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It might be helpful to see active listening<\/strong> as having three components<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The word active<\/strong> in listening<\/strong> implies that you have some active<\/strong> role in conversations – that you take some action<\/a>. This \u201caction\u201d involves a number of techniques such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Being present means listening<\/strong> with all your senses<\/a> and giving all of your attention to the speaker. Avoid any distractions<\/a> and ignore your inner dialogue<\/a> as best as you can while you are listening<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eye contact is a powerful way to show interest<\/a>. It shows the other person<\/strong> that you are not distracted and that you are listening<\/strong> to them with intent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Much of a person<\/strong>\u2019s communication happens non-verbally – especially when feelings are involved. Pay attention to a person<\/strong>\u2019s tone<\/a> of voice, hand gestures, and facial expressions<\/a>, for they may all have a meaning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Open ended questions are more powerful than closed ended questions – where one can answer in a yes\/no manner. Hence, starting a question with \u201cwhat\u201d or \u201chow\u201d can help you formulate an open ended question, which keeps the conversation flowing<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you are listening<\/strong> to someone, don\u2019t assume<\/a> you\u2019ve understood everything they said. If you summarize what\u2019s been said, use your own as well as the other person<\/strong>\u2019s words. Later, ask if your summary was accurate. This way the person<\/strong> will feel seen and heard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The summarizing technique ensures that you\u2019ve captured<\/a> the other\u2019s thoughts and feelings correctly, while minimizing misunderstandings. However, if you think you need more information or clarification<\/a> about what\u2019s been said, kindly ask for it before you summarize or paraphrase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Active listening<\/strong> requires the listener to be open<\/a> to new ideas and perspectives. Even when you may have a strong view or belief, what makes you a good listener is to suspend judgment<\/a>, and avoid criticism or interruptions<\/a>. Moreover, remaining as neutral<\/a> as possible and refraining from giving your opinion is the best thing you can do to show you are not judging. This technique will increase trust and safety<\/a>, which in turn increases the chances of the other person<\/strong> feeling comfortable<\/a> and opening up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You may have one or more listening<\/strong> styles<\/a> and, in some cases, it might be helpful to switch<\/a> from one to another based on the speaker\u2019s needs. For instance, there is a:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ask yourself who are you listening<\/strong> to, why are you listening<\/strong>, and what\u2019s the subject of the conversation?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Knowing why you are listening<\/strong> can help you tune into what the other person<\/strong> needs<\/a> at that moment. In addition, knowing who you are listening<\/strong> to is going to help you make the other person<\/strong> feel heard<\/a> and understood. By focusing your attention on the person<\/strong>, you will find it easier to refrain from giving advice, making assumptions, or sharing your own experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Similarly, if you can manage to stay present without having your own agenda<\/a> or thinking about what to ask next, you will be more likely to hear<\/a> what\u2019s being said and what\u2019s left unsaid. Finally, knowing the \u201cwhat\u201d of a conversation will support you in asking the right questions at the right time. This is not only going to show the other person<\/strong> that you\u2019ve heard them; it also shows that you understood the situation well enough that you may need additional information<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From what I’ve learned during my coaching<\/strong> experience, active listening<\/strong> is not just about hearing what the other person<\/strong> has to say. It is also about hearing specific words, noticing a person<\/strong>‘s body language, and pointing out any dissonance between the two.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is about tuning into the other person<\/strong>\u2019s inner world with curiosity, while leaving your own world aside. It is about being your client\u2019s sounding board and reflecting back to them what you hear. It is about being patient and allowing space for silence. It requires listening<\/strong> to understand<\/strong>, not to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a coach, you also tend to believe that your clients have all the answers they need. This means that, while active listening<\/strong>, you are asking questions that make THEM reflect. It is not about YOU proving a point or guiding them towards a solution. If you let someone come up with their own solution, they will feel more empowered and capable. At the end of the day, coaching<\/strong> is about supporting clients in finding their own answers and trusting themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At work, active listening<\/strong> may be particularly important if you are a manager, supervisor<\/a>, or have to interact with other employees frequently. Your skills<\/strong> will definitely showcase your patience<\/a> and help you collaborate<\/a> with others in finding solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Active listening<\/strong> at work equally facilitates understanding<\/strong> and mutual respect. It conveys the message that the other person<\/strong> – and what they say – is valuable<\/a>. It builds psychological safety<\/a>, meaning that others will feel safe enough to be open and share more information with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lastly, it helps you in leading by example. In other words, be the first who actively listens and rest assured that others will likely follow your example. This is because you will establish a clear expectation<\/a> of how others should treat you and how they should treat one another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Active listening<\/strong> is very useful in all relationships, whether it be with friends or family members. It really helps you better understand<\/strong> another\u2019s point of view<\/a> and show empathy<\/a>. It can also keep you from offering solutions<\/a> when someone is emotionally distressed<\/a> and all they really need is to feel heard<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Usually, people who are actively listening<\/strong> are good at initiating<\/a> and maintaining<\/a> conversations with new people in any social context. By showing empathy and asking open ended questions, they tend to make others feel safe and emotionally supported<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Active listening<\/strong> requires one to be fully present with another. It also requires a degree of emotional intelligence<\/a> which helps the listener leave oneself out of the equation and show empathy. If you use the techniques mentioned in this article, you will be more likely to make others feel seen and understood, which will improve your relationships and connections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Active listening skills<\/strong> are beneficial for all kinds of conversations and in all kinds of settings: at home, at work, with friends, as well as when meeting new people. Ultimately, active listening<\/strong> is what signals to the person<\/strong> talking that they are important<\/a> and what they say matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 7 Active Listening Techniques For Better Communication<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat is active listening?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/lh7-us.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXdSzw7qhRbWTMe4Fi0nushcqOYuB9TIlaRCugZlZKF3R5C87RLW-6GSnVLMHWzODQg8frMxsV2JSWF2A0PGBQ-7vPpy9wnIITTMdGiGSVS4aRSOts_f3M-p95awLTojBCJKK6JR9q95NCYrz4u5n1dwz2O1?key=bg5b_IxB3l9KSikhEx3H3g\")
Active listening techniques<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
1. Being fully present<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
2. Practicing eye contact<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
3. Noticing non-verbal cues<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
4. Asking open ended questions<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
5. Summarizing what has been said<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
6. Witholding judgment and advice<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/lh7-us.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXcrYuzWW7oUl21BwlGCM0uFTYDBR4HtK0sf5CkfqPS1vGsvjbcxE8RmuL_E2O-bQe_P8691E2tkJX97TmGp6suXvUsleXe7w46mda_TyDGFgeF_UM4bh0ZmEAUkuITbEa8zop5V54BUflnZ3i0c53qZWhOu?key=bg5b_IxB3l9KSikhEx3H3g\")
What else can you do to become better at active listening<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Understand your own listening style<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
Choose how you want to listen<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Active listening in coaching<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/lh7-us.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXec25up0-PBaM1HAWMrrGK4Q5Qh6eomXmaTLFYgo7AH6q8_8ufK_4Ntkyripl2ML2qEIgZyGdb6mwkq_F3MvXD4cuo0knzdFUvN9euysgJw8Y7rlEFCxKBVr2CgD106_lOHXCeSXy7gb5kTedIEclUVpJ3v?key=bg5b_IxB3l9KSikhEx3H3g\")
Active listening in different settings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n
![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/lh7-us.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXc705rFeU0PvJZOmPVlX5PVKeSq92rUcM4CaBjRkV20hOOGg3D3rUeeDf1tvzpbb1oGoQvl-E0k7da7AQp1Z6rj1HjFN0zLgG2hBb7tE6K2Y_FQxWvZsQj-3cAjiGL-0njE1xe6aTAoPeKU56rTIuHfAbPS?key=bg5b_IxB3l9KSikhEx3H3g\")
To conclude<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
References<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Leave a Reply