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6 Steps and 7 Techniques of Active Listening: for Effective Communication

 Active listening is a communication technique that involves fully engaging with the speaker, paying close attention to both verbal and non-verbal cues, and demonstrating empathy and understanding. The process of active listening typically involves several key steps:

§ Step-1: Paying Attention: Give the speaker your full attention by focusing on the speaker and avoiding distractions such as electronic devices or internal thoughts.

§ Step-2: Showing you're Listening: Use verbal and non-verbal cues to demonstrate that you are actively engaged in the conversation. This can include nodding, making eye contact, and providing verbal affirmations such as "yes," "I see," or "go on."

§ Step-3: Providing Feedback: Offer feedback to the speaker to show that you understand their message. This can involve paraphrasing what the speaker has said or asking clarifying questions to ensure you have grasped their meaning.

§ Step-4: Deferring Judgment: Suspend judgment and avoid interrupting the speaker. Instead, focus on understanding their perspective without prematurely jumping to conclusions or forming opinions.

§ Step-5: Responding Appropriately: Respond thoughtfully and respectfully once the speaker has finished expressing themselves. This may involve offering your perspective, sharing relevant information, or expressing empathy and support.

§ Step-6: Remembering the Details: Remember essential details from the conversation, such as critical points or feelings expressed by the speaker. This shows you value what they say and are committed to fully understanding them.

By following these steps, active listening fosters deeper understanding and connection between individuals, leading to more effective communication and improved relationships.

Seven Active Listening Techniques (Bauer & Figl, 2008).

Technique

Purpose

To achieve it

Paraphrasing

-   To convey interest

-   Encourage the speaker to keep talking

-   Restate the information in your own words.

Verbalizing emotions

-   To show that you have understood

-   Reflect the speaker’s basic feelings and emotions in words.

Asking

-   To get more information

-   Ask questions.

Summarizing

-   To review progress

-   Pull together important ideas

-   Establish a basis for further discussion

-   Restate major ideas expressed, including feelings.

Clarifying

-   To clarify what is said

-   Help the speaker see other’s point of view

-   Ask questions for vague statements.

-   Restate wrong interpretations to force further explanation.

Encouraging

-   To convey interest

-   Encourage the speaker to keep talking

-   Disagree.

-   Use varying intonations.

-   Offer ideas and suggestions.

Balancing

-   To get more information

-   Ask questions.

Reference:

Bauer, C., & Figl, K. (2008). ‘Active listening’ in written online communication-a case study in a course on ‘soft skills’ for computer scientists. In 2008 38th Annual Frontiers in Education Conference (pp. F2C–1). IEEE.

Dr. Karminder Ghuman, Head of MBA Department, LM Thapar School of Management, Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology (Deemed to be University), Patiala

   The blog is based on the contents from the book: "The Art and Science of Effective and Impactful Communication"        

https://shorturl.at/x5Qo8

This book has research-based proven tools and strategies to guide professionals regarding the following aspects of communication:

  • What is Effective and Impactful Communication?
  • What makes Communication so Difficult? How to Overcome Biases and Barriers
  • Communication Apprehension
  • Communication Frameworks
  • Dimensions of Effective Communication
  • Communication Styles and Types of Communicators
  • Worldview and Communication
  • Managing Expectations
  • Silence as Communication
  • Humour and Communication
  • Emotional Intelligence and Communication
  • Diplomatic Communication
  • Deception and Manipulation in Communication
  • Ethics and Communication
  • Personality and Communication
  • Generation X, Millennials, Generation Z,  and Generation Alpha
  • Transactional Analysis (TA) and Communication
  • Barriers to Listening
  • Mindful Listening and Self-awareness
  • Choice of Words, Shades of Meaning (Nuances), Power Words
  • Phrases, Figurative Language
  • Linguistic Style
  • Framing, Reframing, and Spin Doctrine
  • Paralinguistics: Pitch and Tone, Pace, and Pause
  • Non-Verbal Communication: Body Language, Posture, Facial Expressions, Gestures, Eye Contact, Proxemics, Haptics
  • Manners and Etiquettes, Netiquettes, Announcing Bad News and How to Say “No”
  • Relationships and Communication: Seduction and Communication, Difficult Communication within a Relationship, Reviving a Broken, Strengthening a Strained Relationship
  • Neuro-Listening Programming (NLP)
Location: India

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