Actively listening can be tough sometimes. Busy schedules make it tempting to rush through some conversations. Distractions like texts and emails can also pull our focus away from the conversation at hand.
Active listening is a skill that’s always worth refining, though. When you genuinely listen, you show that you truly care about what the other person is saying. Internally, this can lead to a more engaged team. With your clients and prospects, it can lead to improved trust and stronger business relationships.
How can you become better at active listening? Keep reading. In this issue of PromoPro Daily, we highlight a post from the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) blog that explains some effective active listening techniques.
1. Pay attention. The CCL blog recommends letting the other person finish their sentences and creating “wait time” before responding. Make eye contact and stay present in the moment. Be sure to watch your own body language, too. You don’t want to sit with your arms crossed or be tapping your foot impatiently.
2. Withhold judgment. Active listening requires an open mind, the CCL post says. Don’t interrupt or interject your own opinions. Stay open to hearing the other person’s perspective.
3. Reflect and validate. To become better at active listening, practice reflecting. This is essentially paraphrasing the speaker’s main points. It shows you understand what they’re saying and can eliminate any misinterpretations. You can validate what the other person is saying by adding something like, “It sounds like you’re feeling pretty frustrated.”
4. Clarify. As an active listener, make sure you ask open-ended, clarifying questions if you’re unclear about something. These kinds of questions can also prompt the other person to do the work of self-reflection and problem-solving, the CCL post says.
5. Summarize. You could say something like, “Let me summarize to check my understanding.” According to the post, restating key themes confirms and solidifies your grasp of the other person’s point of view. It also helps both parties to be clear on mutual responsibilities and next steps.
6. Share. Active listening is first about understanding the other person, the CCL post says, and then about being understood as the listener. As you gain a clearer understanding of the other person’s perspective, you can begin to introduce your own ideas, feelings and suggestions.
Whether you’re talking with a colleague, a direct report or a client, make sure you’re truly listening. This means not only paying attention to what they’re saying but taking action on what you hear. When you apply the techniques above, you’ll refine your active listening skills and contribute to a culture of respect.
Compiled by Audrey Sellers
Source: The Center for Creative Leadership blog. CCL is a global nonprofit that focuses on leadership development.
