The practice of active listening can be applied in any context, from the work environment to a coffee chat.
Active listening is a way of communicating that can increase understanding between a speaker and a listener. Its goal is to establish the clear communication of ideas and feelings. An active listener pays close attention to what another person is saying without interrupting. He or she then summarizes the key points of the speaker's message to make sure they both agree on what was said. Once the speaker has gotten his or her point across, the roles reverse, and the speaker becomes the listener.

Active listening demonstrates respect and consideration for the person speaking. In turn, that show of respect can help establish trust between speaker and listener.

When you are an active listener, you do not have to agree with the other person's point of view. However, you should try your best to understand what the other person is saying. You should listen quietly without expressing your opinion about what the speaker says, even if you think he or she is wrong.

How Does Active Listening Work?

Active listening can be guided by a third person, such as a therapist. Or, it can be done by two people on their own. Either way, its goal is to get rid of the usual barriers to understanding, such as anger or distracted half-listening.

Active listening works best when speaker and listener sit facing each other and make eye contact. The two people speak in turns, with one person speaking first while the other listens carefully, without talking.

The goal is for the listener to give full, undivided attention to the speaker. When you are the listener, you should avoid thinking about what to say next or how to respond or whether what the speaker is saying is even correct. Instead, focus on understanding what is being said and try as much as possible to see things from the speaker's point of view.

The listener gives undivided attention while the speaker is expressing their ideas.
Once the speaker finishes talking, you should summarize what he or she just said. Summarizing lets the speaker know how well you understood what they said, and gives him or her a chance to clear up any misunderstandings.

The speaker can clarify as needed until he or she feels fully understood. Speaker and listener then switch roles. From there, the process continues back and forth until both people have been fully heard and understood.

In What Types Of Situations Is Active Listening Used?

Active listening is particularly useful for people who live or work together. Family members and co-workers often develop bad listening habits. They react to each other based on what they expect the other person to say rather than on what is actually said. Active listening provides a way to break this pattern.

Sometimes people tune out what family members are saying because they think they know what is coming next. For example, children who expect their parents to scold them may only hear criticism. Parents who expect a certain attitude from teenagers may believe they hear it in their child's tone of voice. Active listening cuts through such built-in expectations.

Active listening is a way for people to move past their expectations of each other, and truly reach an understanding. It is a way of making relationships stronger.
Active listening can also be useful in the workplace. Miscommunication or lack of understanding between co-workers can lead to hurt feelings, which in turn can make it difficult for people to work together. Active listening can resolve such issues and create greater understanding and team spirit among co-workers.

What Are Some Examples Of Active Listening?

Imagine someone who is unexpectedly rude to their co-worker, or seems inconsiderate of their needs. The co-worker might feel hurt, or they might become angry and begin to dislike that person. Active listening can help resolve such problems. It allows a person to say how they feel about their co-worker's behavior, while the co-worker is given a chance to explain and maybe even apologize.

It could be that the rude co-worker was going through a difficult time at home or on the job and was unaware of how insulting his or her behavior was. By listening respectfully, another person might learn more about that co-worker's situation, and also gain his or her appreciation for their willingness to listen. In this way, situations that could turn into major conflicts instead lead to greater understanding.

Sometimes people do not communicate with those they are close to because they fear the other person's reaction. Rather than saying, for example, "It really hurts my feelings when you come home late without calling ahead," a husband or wife might say nothing at all in order to avoid a fight. However, the hurt feelings remain and can build up over time. If the partners actively listen to each other, though, they can fully explain how they feel, and this can help avoid any hurt feelings.

What Are the Benefits Of Active Listening?

Active listening helps people get along better. If someone does not listen to you or does not value what you have to say, you may feel slighted. However, if someone takes the time to listen carefully, you will feel better both about yourself and them.

Active listening provides a safe environment for people to express themselves. The open sharing of ideas and feelings that it allows can improve relationships, whether at home, school or work.

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