Active Listening

Active listening is when you pay attention to the speaker and you pay attention to what is being unsaid or partially said.

Here are eight core principles:

1. Stop Talking: Don't talk
2. Prepare Yourself to Listen: Relax
3. Put the Speaker at Ease: Help the speaker be free to say anything
4. Remove Distractions: Pay attention to what is being said
5. Empathize: Try to understand the speaker's point of view
6. Be Patient: Just because there is a long pause doesn't mean you talk
7. Listen for Ideas; Not just Words: Figure out the whole picture, not just little pieces

Active listening is when you focus on what the speaker is saying and you show signs/keys of listening to the speaker for the speaker to understand that you are listening, such as:

• Smiling: A small smile can tell the speaker that you are listening and the speaker will become confident on what he/she may be saying

• Making eye-contact: Looking at the speaker will tell the speaker that you are listening and not getting distracted

• Posture: When you sit up straight you tell the speaker that you are listening and not fidgeting and getting distracted

"Active listening is a skill that can be acquired and developed with practice. However, active listening can be difficult to master and will, therefore, take time and patience to develop."

Read more at: https://www.skillsyouneed.com/ips/active-listening.html