Active Listening: Why It’s an Important Part of Communication
We all want to feel heard when having conversations — but it can be challenging to reciprocate these listening skills when we want to get the point across. In order to have healthy, effective communication that strengthens relationships with family and friends, you also need to master what’s called active listening. This skill is more than just listening; it’s being fully present in the conversation and giving your undivided attention.
What is Active Listening?
Active listening is a communication technique that engages the listener in the conversation by seeking understanding and meaning behind the speaker’s words. It requires being an active participant and attentive to what the other person is saying. Active listening can take some time to utilize effectively, but once you do, you will notice a significant change in the way you have conversations.
How to Use Active Listening
There are a few ways to incorporate this technique into communications. Let’s discuss some main ways to use active listening.
- Good eye contact: This tells the other person you are seeing and hearing them, as well as not giving in to distractions around you. Too much eye contact, however, can feel overwhelming. After about 5-10 seconds of direct eye contact, look away briefly.
- Use non-verbal cues: Body language tells a lot about a person and their feelings or thoughts. To show that you are fully listening, use open, non-threatening body positions such as leaning in, smiling, and nodding your head.
- Ask open-ended questions: These types of questions require more than just a “yes” or “no” answer. They show interest and try to learn more about what the person is saying. Some examples could be:
- Can you tell me more about that?
- Why do you think that happened?
- How would you like to move forward?
- What are your thoughts on that?
- Reflection: This is repeating back what you heard the other person say. Think of it like a summary of the conversation; paraphrase the main points you pick up, then ask them if you understood correctly. If you feel lost, ask for clarification. This will decrease potential miscommunications.
- Withhold judgments: When someone is sharing their thoughts and feelings, it is important that you remain neutral and supportive. This allows a safe space without shame or critiques for difficult conversations. Even if you do not agree, we feel how we feel, and it is important not to judge someone for their feelings.
Why is Active Listening Important?
- Builds trust and solidifies romantic, platonic, familial, and workplace relationships.
- Helps you effectively resolve conflicts and find mutually beneficial solutions.
- Prevents you from missing important and vital information and limits issues with miscommunication.
- Allows you to identify and even prevent future problems.
- It helps you build more knowledge about people, the workplace, and daily responsibilities.
- Empowers you and builds your confidence about who you are.
Overall, active listening makes you a well-rounded and hard-working individual. Not only does it allow you to navigate difficult conversations, but it also helps you see the big picture as well as the little details of your world. It’s a great technique to use when trying to advance your career or a method to utilize with your own children to help them grow and learn. At any point in your life, active listening will always be there to benefit you.
At Wellness Matters, we have therapists who can help! Feel free to contact us today to set up an appointment. You can connect with the Wellness Matters Intake Coordinator by texting or calling (218) 616-1276
At Wellness Matters, the intake process is all on-line and can be done in less than fifteen minutes. On-line appointments make it possible to attend appointments from the comfort from your home or office. In-person services may also be available for people living in northern MN.
