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Active Listening
I believe that the key to a successful relationship is communication. For example if we don’t talk about what’s wrong how is the other person supposed to know? It isn’t just talking about it though as sometimes we have to be careful of the language we use, so as not to accuse or judge. Even with that though sometimes we must be mindful of what does the other person hear when we speak? I like using the example of one person saying, ‘There’s no milk left’, and the other person hears, ‘You’re not getting any tea’.
Listening can at times be an underrated skill. How well we listen impacts on the quality of our relationships with others. Being a better listener can help us to improve your relationships, as well as help us to to influence and negotiate. It can help avoid conflicts and misunderstandings.
Active listening takes practice. It involves giving the other person your full attention. Stopping talking and showing the other person that you want to hear what they have to say. Looking at them as they speak, watching and paying attention to their whole body language. A smile or nod occasionally can help, as can being aware of your own body language. If you interrupt this might only frustrate the other person. Paraphrasing back what has been said, repeating key words, this can help open the other person to speak in more depth. Asking open questions such as how, what, where etc to help develop the conversation, learn more information and show the other person you are interested.
#activelistening
This article was written by sentientcounselling