ACTIVE LISTENING - Benefits of Active Listening and Tips on Active Listening

Benefits of Active Listening

It tends to open people up, to get them to say more.
It forces you to listen attentively to others.
It avoids misunderstandings, as you have to confirm that you do really understand what the speaker has said.

12 Active Listening Tips

Be aware of biases and perceptions. Control your biases and validate your assumptions.
Encourage the speaker, provide feedback and paraphrase to show you are listening... More

Two Types of Active Listening Techniques

Verbal
Non-verbal

What Is Active Listening?

Active listening is a structured form of listening and responding that focuses the attention on the speaker and motivates both the speaker and the listener.

The Tao of Effective Listening

Why Active Listening?

Often when people talk to each other, they don't listen attentively or they don't show the speaker they're listening. They are often distracted, think about what they want to say or about something else. Such attitudes often result in misunderstanding, conflicts, and broken relationships.

Active listening helps you avoid these problems, improve your communication skills and build stronger relationships.

Free Micro-course

Why and How To Listen

10 slides

Socratic Questions

Socratic questioning is at the heart of critical thinking – they enhance your critical thinking skills.

Socratic questions challenge accuracy and completeness of thinking in a way that acts to move people towards their ultimate goal... More

Humorous Business Plan: Great Communicator

Brief History: "The greatest compliment that was ever paid me was when someone asked me what I thought, and attended to my answer." – Henry David Thoreau.. More

Humorous Business Plan: Success in Love

Marketing strategy: "A man is already halfway in love with any woman who listens to him." – Brendan Francis... More

Humorous Business Plan: Successful Marriage

Milestones completed and future plans: "As soon as you find the one to marry, just shut up and listen." – Unknown... More

Managerial Communication

Active Listening – a Managerial Tool

By: Lisa Haneberg²

You need to listen to the words that are being said and hear the person’s intent, or disconnects will occur.

Even with the best of intentions, messages can become distorted and confused. Managers who learn to listen well and provide effective feedback will improve overall dialogue reception.

You are listening actively when you

Demonstrate a sincere desire to pay attention to the other person (instead of mentally practicing what you are going to say next).
Commit to being coachable and open with the information being received from the other person.
Relate to his or her perspective and empathize with his or her point of view.
Seek to understand the other person.
Pay attention and don’t be distracted by other things in the environment.
Ensure you have interpreted the message as intended through feedback, confirming, restating, or paraphrasing.
Reflect on what is being said.
Synthesize the information, emotion, and feelings to improve understanding.
Clarify the information by asking questions and probing.
Validate perceptions and assumptions.
Let the other person talk.
Are fully present and focused on the other person.

10 Rules of Listening

By: Linda Eve Diamond

Rule #9: Question. Going into a listening situation with questions in your mind will help you remember and, often, put information into the framework of your existing knowledge. Listen to body language and be quick to clarify assumptions if you are unsure or are getting a negative message. Observe. Listen. Ask.... More

Selling By Coaching

Treat your prospective customer as a player who wants to achieve extraordinary results. You are to help the player win. Listen to words, body language and emotions to understand the player's both conscious and unconscious needs.... More