In essence, active listening is about giving full attention to a person who is speaking to you without interrupting him or her. The intention is to fully understand the total meaning of what’s being said by repeating back what the person said.
By listening actively, you respond to other people’s needs, make them truly feel that they’re being heard and understood. This promotes respect and understanding between the communicating parties.
Active listening is NOT the same as being quiet. An active listener will always encourage others to talk and will clarify any points they don’t understand. This is how they understand the full meaning of what’s being said.
Here are some active listening techniques you can use to improve your communications:
1. Be attentive. Pay full attention to the person who’s speaking to you without trying to think what you’re going to respond or anticipate what they’re going to say next.
2. Show respect. Never tell a person that you already know what he/she’s going to say. Even if you think you know what the person’s going to say, try to listen to what’s actually being said. When you show respect, you will get respect as well.
3. Keep cool and avoid confrontation. Active listening is about understanding fully what’s being said. Don’t try to turn it into a debate or win an argument.
4. Put your ego aside. Don’t use your ego or personal beliefs to interpret what other’s saying.
5. Don’t jump to conclusions. Assumption is the mother of all screw ups! Never try to make any assumption or judgment about what others say. If in doubt, find out the facts and clarify by asking questions.
6. Use body language appropriately. When you’re actively listening to someone, your body language will show whether you’re paying attention or not. Look the speaker in the eye while they’re talking and try to maintain eye contact as long as it’s comfortable for both of you.
Nod your head when necessary to show that you’re paying attention.
7. Repeat back what you heard. This shows that you truly understand the speaker and give the person a chance to correct any misunderstanding that you may have.
Active listening techniques are not difficult to learn. With some practice, everyone can be a better communicator. It’s worth the effort to learn active listening as it can help you improve relationship with your family members, friends, co-workers and business partner.
I think these are some good tips. The hardest part is putting them into practice at the critical times. It takes practice, there is always room for improvement.
I would also add an additional one: be careful using humor, especially when the dialogue is fresh. What you think is funny might be taken as rude or offensive by the other person. Of course, if you're actively listening, hopefully you know what the person's reaction will be.
this article is very helpful in order to localize what active listening means. but also i would like to suggests how to help those people who really not good at listening how they will be able to improve their comprehension skills if they have poor communication skills perhaps there is an article that can rationalize those kind of issues.