Active listening is about thoroughly participating in a conversation and listening to what others are saying to full effect
5 Elements of Active Listening
- Paying attention - Pay close attention to what the person is speaking without interrupting them. Observe their body language carefully for hints and further contextual information. Try not to distract yourself
- Showing your listening - Provide acknowledgement to the speaker that you are listening to them all the way through by means of vocal or body language gestures
- Providing Feedback - Tell the speaker your interpretation of what they said without judgment. Ask questions to either gather more information or to consolidate what you have heard already
- Deferring Judgment - Don’t prematurely form judgments, rebuttals, or counterpoints without letting them finish and without understanding everything first. Let any thought that pops up during listening brew
- Responding - Respond politely and constructively
Tips
- If you’re having trouble concentrating, mentally repeat the person’s word over to reinforce their message in your mind and help my focus
- Maintain eye contact. This is a strong indication that you’re listening and it gives you a boost in self-confidence. It also gives the person a clear-shot signal that you’re not someone they can take for granted