Sit and Listen: Learning Active Listening Skills

As humans we all like to talk and share our thoughts, moments, and feelings with others around us. Also, as humans when others talk about their thoughts, moments, or just about their day we sometimes only hear what we think is right and not fully take what the other person was saying. Listening to others is a leading skill that everyone can use. Listening helps build relationships, solve problems, and ensure understanding. Anyone can be a great listener, and yes anyone can listen. But not everyone can convey the information and relay skills of attentiveness. Listening lets another person know that you are concerned about what they are saying and appreciative of them sharing. In learning to listen actively you can learn to hear emotions, read nonverbals, and then allow time to plan your response or course of action.

 

Accepting the Speech

This is not an excepting speech or an award speech. In active listening as the listener it is important to listen with consideration and with discrimination. This means that the listener is getting an understanding of what is being said and not quickly judging based on tone, wording, or quick response from “possible knowledge”. Learning to be open-minded and receptive to the speaker will help the speaker remain open, confident and feeling free being uncomfortable to share.
Keeping separate feelings from the situation of the speaker helps build Active Listening skills for the listener. This can also become a distraction. When feelings are not detached, as the listener you are distracted by your own reaction to the information which leads to you becoming unaware of the speaker. Sometimes, there is not a way to “fix” the issue. Listening and being heard by the listener is helpful for the speaker to know that someone cares and is willing understand the situation.

Learning Together

Learning to listen to others can be difficult, especially when you are in the middle of your own issues or work. It can be beneficial to reach out to professionals to help learn effective ways of being an Active Listener. As a couple, family, or just individually enhancing yourself as a whole Active Listen will aid one in reaching their goals of effective communicating with others.