With respect, good disposition, empathy and concentration you can do someone good by showing them that you are listening to them with attention and interest.
Active listening is a tool in the field of communication between human beings that is characterized by listening with attention, interest and empathy to the message that someone is giving.
It is an essential modality for those who are dedicated to conflict resolution , work in the health field, are responsible for improving ties and achieving harmony in work environments, perform some function within the educational field or wish to successfully close a negotiation .
A subject who is going through grief; a teenager who suffers a disappointment in love; a new mother full of fears and doubts; a businessman worried because his business is not going well; a person who has received a discouraging diagnosis... Each being has motives, reasons and needs why they want to manifest themselves and have someone on the other side with the desire, time and will to listen to them carefully and deeply without judging them (the recipient can be from a stranger or mental health professional to a friend, family member or reference, to detail common possibilities).
Voice tones , facial expressions and non-verbal communication also provide data that should not be overlooked if you seek to understand the speech in its entirety: for that reason, in addition to the ears on alert and the brain reserved for chat You have to keep your eyes on the speaker.
Keys to active listening
It is necessary to know what the key elements of active listening are in order to generate the appropriate climate for this purpose.
Beyond focusing your attention on the person who is about to express themselves through words and showing interest not only in their words but also in their body language , it is essential to be in a calm environment and minimize the appearance of distractions (the sound of the clock, the mobile phone nearby and on, the alarm of a vehicle, the swing of a door when opening or closing, the movement of people, the barking of a pet or any sound associated with animals, among other issues, distract and hinder the phenomenon. communicative).
It is important that eye contact is maintained between sender and receiver, that both involved in the phenomenon of communication are concentrated exclusively on the process of speaking and listening, that no interruptions arise and that value judgments are not made. If you really want to carry out active listening , it is essential to put aside prejudices, demonstrate patience and respect even the silence of whoever has the floor. In short, from no point of view should there be obstacles or barriers to listening .
Likewise, you have to find out if advice or a solution is expected from the other side. Even if one has an excellent disposition and good intentions, there are people who simply want to vent and be listened to in depth without receiving proposals, questions, questions or recommendations. In these situations, gestures or signs of assent , empathy , a receptive body posture that reflects interest in the talk (or monologue) and manifestations of non-verbal communication become relevant in order to transmit security and trust or provide support.
Empathic listening is essential to provide emotional support and accompany, with respect and sensitivity, a person who needs company, protection and care.
Benefits and fields of application
Both the benefits and the fields of application of active listening are multiple.
Through it, as those who study and use this technique have verified, there are positive advances in interpersonal relationships, the ability to understand is favored and numerous conflicts are reduced and/or resolved.
The chances of success in mediation are increased when the active listening method is put into practice and beneficial results are obtained when therapists give their patients active listening during therapy sessions.
In the workplace, this tool contributes to enhancing leadership and is very useful, for example, for teamwork because it provides spaces for listening and being heard, for mutual understanding and social interaction based on dialogue and communication in cluster.
Active listening in the classroom , on the other hand, favors the acquisition and development of social skills . Through this technique, trust between peers is strengthened, security is transmitted to the most shy or introverted people, empathy is trained, assertiveness is boosted, and resilience is stimulated.
Listening, containing, understanding, accompanying and not judging others is necessary, enriching and useful in all areas of life.
Tips to achieve fruitful active listening
To achieve fruitful active listening, you must keep in mind, and enforce, certain tips .
Using self-control to not unnecessarily interrupt the speaker is essential. Limiting yourself to listening and avoiding giving opinions when they are not requested also mark the profile of a good listener.
Asking specific questions , resorting to paraphrasing or requesting clarifications in case of doubts to demonstrate that the presentation has been heard are other options when participating in a meeting that merits feedback .