What does it mean to actively listen? It’s a term we often hear, but we don’t necessarily always appreciate what it means.
Hearing refers to the physiological, passive process of perceiving sound waves through the ears.
On the other hand, listening is an active and conscious process that goes beyond simply hearing.
It involves paying attention to the sounds, interpreting their meaning, and understanding the message being shared. It requires you to focus, concentrate, and engage with the speaker, as well as process and comprehend what’s being said.
So if you’re checking your phone, reading a document, or gazing out of the window when someone is speaking to you, you aren’t actively listening. Plus you’re missing out on all their body language if you aren’t looking directly at them.
In order to effectively receive, interpret and understand what someone is saying, you need to pay attention, retain information, and respond appropriately. And by ‘respond appropriately’ I mean respond to what has just been said, not respond with an unrelated question or comment related to your own agenda.
💚Listen with curiosity. Banish judgement.
💚Let them speak. Don’t interrupt.
💚Let them finish. This is about them, not you.
💚Check your understanding. Don’t make assumptions.
💚Acknowledge what’s been said and what they are feeling with empathy. They’ll feel heard.
💚You aren’t there to fix them, so don’t tell them what to do next, and refrain from offering advice unless specifically asked.
By being a good active listener for someone you are building trust and connection and showing you care, which in that moment may be all that person needs.
Right now, take a moment to pause and really listen to what’s going on around you.
What do you hear now that you weren’t hearing before you actively paid attention?
That’s the power of listening. 💚
