What are some tips for active listening?

What are some tips for active listening?

Active listening involves fully concentrating, understanding, responding, and remembering what is being said. Here are some tips:

1. Maintain eye contact.
2. Avoid interrupting.
3. Reflect back what you hear.
4. Ask clarifying questions.
5. Show empathy.

Can you explain how to reflect back what I hear?

Sure! Reflecting back means paraphrasing or summarizing what the speaker has said to show you understand. For example, you might say, "It sounds like you're feeling overwhelmed with your workload. Is that correct?" This encourages the speaker to elaborate.

What if I don't understand something they said?

If you don't understand something, it's perfectly okay to ask for clarification. You can say something like, "I didn't quite catch that. Could you explain it a bit more?" This shows you're engaged and want to understand better.

How can I show empathy while listening?

You can show empathy by acknowledging the speaker's feelings. Use phrases like, "I can see that this is really important to you," or "That sounds really tough." This helps the speaker feel heard and validated.