Active listening: find out what it is and how to put it into practice

Active listening is an essential communication skill that helps build healthy relationships in life and work

Essential for improving our communication and interpersonal relationships, active listening it is the ability to pay attention and fully understand what the other person is saying. Unlike passive listening, where we simply listen without really paying attention or understanding what is being said, active listening requires concentration and full attention.

In the workplace, active listening It is a crucial skill for collaboration and good relationships between colleagues and teams. By practicing active listening, team members are able to identify problems and find solutions together, encouraging cooperation and strengthening trust.

“First, active listening helps improve communication between colleagues and teams. When members of a company practice this skill, they are more likely to be able to identify problems and find solutions together, encouraging cooperation and strengthening trust”, underlines speech therapist and communication specialist Mirna Abou Rafée.

Active listening can also help create an inclusive work environment. When people are listened to and understood, they feel valued and respected. This can help create a more welcoming atmosphere that values ​​diversity of perspectives and ideas.

This skill is also essential for building a culture of feedback constructive and effective. By actively listening to their team members, leaders are able to do this better understand your needs and deliver feedback more assertivecontributing to the growth and development of employees.

How to practice active listening?

One way to practice active listening is through meditation, which can help increase awareness and concentration during a conversation. Because a condition for active listening is to be present in the moment and pay full attention to what is being said.

This means setting aside distractions, avoiding parallel thoughts, and focusing on the person speaking. It is also It’s important to show interest through gestures, facial expressions and relevant questions. By showing attention, you encourage the other person to express themselves more clearly and fully.

You also need to observe more and react less. During a conversation, don’t make judgments about what is said. This can cause dispersion and take you away from the main message. Reinforcing what the other person is saying is another way to practice active listening. By returning to the main points of your interlocutor’s idea, you demonstrate that you actually understand what is being said.

“However, becoming a good listener is not a task that can be learned overnight. It is necessary to practice and develop this skill over time. By practicing this skill regularly, we can become more effective communicators and establish connections, real relationships with people , achieving our common objectives in a more solid and efficient way”, concludes Mirna Abou Rafée.

Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.