Ten Strategies to Improve Active Listening

Active listening is a key part of the foundation for success. Listening to others enables you to acquire information and a fresh perspective. It fosters trust, enhances communication, builds relationships, and helps to understand a person’s point of view. However, active listening is more than a leadership skill. It’s a type of communication that can benefit every area of your life.

Whether you are running an organization, leading a kid’s area, managing projects, or collaborating with leadership and peers, it’s important to differentiate between knowing how to be a good listener and taking the steps to refine the skill.

Here are ten ways to be a better active listener.

1. Be Fully Present– This means avoiding distractions and giving undivided attention to the person speaking.

2. Make Natural Eye Contact – Don’t stare intently at the other person; this may appear combative or aggressive. Look into the person’s eyes and briefly hold your gaze, intermittently looking away slowly, and then re-establish eye contact.

3. Try Not to Interrupt – Let the person speaking fully convey their thoughts, and if they pause, confirm they are done. This will provide a natural transition for you to reply without talking over them.

4. Ask Questions – This helps to clarify and ensure you understand what is being shared or provides thoughtful follow-up.

5. Pay Attention to Body Language – Body language communicates your interest, willingness to engage, or discomfort with the topic. Positive body language includes good posture, direct eye contact, smiling, nodding, or leaning in.

6. Stay Composed – Control your emotional reactions by not acting impulsively, rolling your eyes, or displaying negative body language, even if you disagree.

7. Have An Open Mind – Active listening can offer a fresh perspective, so listening without judgment or a predetermined response before they are finished helps you to have an open mind.

8. Use Verbal Confirmations – Spoken affirmations like “I see,” “That makes sense,” “I understand,” or summarizing and confirming key points show you are engaged and paying attention.

9. Demonstrate Empathy – Ask questions, acknowledge the other person’s feelings, give them your full attention, and use verbal confirmations.

10. Recap and Repeat – In your own words, restate what the speaker has shared to ensure you understand the conversation. This will provide clarity and eliminate any confusion.

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Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash