Listening is 50% of communication. Active listening is a sign of respect from both parties; you are showing the other person you have respect for them and their ideas, and the person on the receiving end, can recognize the sign of respect and, hopefully, reciprocate.
Active listening is different than hearing. Hearing is defined as one’s brain receiving sound. Active listening is a step above that, referring to the way we interpret communication and effectively respond. Active listening requires the listener to be fully engaged in the conversation in order to provide appropriate feedback.
In order to be a successful listener, effort is required. These are five important strategies to improve active listening.
Be aware of the speaker’s body language.
Body language is a key indicator of how the person actually feels. Much of the time, we don’t put much thought into our body language - unless we are required to be very aware of it. Some body language to pay special attention to include: facial expressions, the speaker’s posture, and whether or not they are “talking” with their hands.
Be aware of your body language.
The way you are presenting yourself to the speaker is important for them to detect the level of respect inherent in the interaction. Eye contact, head nods, and continued focus on the listener will signal that you are actively listening.
Ask questions.
When the speaker is finished, asking clarification questions sends a strong message that you care about the topic and are invested in understanding the message. Asking questions as follow up will also show the speaker that you are invested enough to engage in discussion and dialogue and deepen your understanding of the topic.
Focus on the speaker.
It is so easy - too easy - to give in to distractions. Our smartphones and/or smartwatches make staying focused even harder. It is important to try to block out the constant notifications we receive in order to show the speaker that our full attention is dedicated to them.
Be open!
Open your mind to new ideas or concepts when being an active listener. You might not agree with the speaker, but you don’t have to. The end goal of many conversations is not necessarily to reach consensus, it is to ensure that both sides have been heard and understood. It is common to tune out the speaker if we don’t agree with what they are talking about, or maybe we don’t have the best personal relationship with the speaker, but try to resist this urge. After all, wouldn’t you want somebody to take the time to listen to what you have to say?
Considering that listening is 50% of communication, take some time to reflect on these five tips and ask yourself where you might have room to grow!
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