6 Active Listening Techniques
The most powerful amplifier of various types of active listening techniques is empathy. A person who can sense the mood and state of the interlocutor can establish communication much faster and more effectively and bring positive notes to it. This allows you to use all the techniques more tactfully. In order for the use of the techniques listed below to be more effective, it is important to work on empathy.
Many active listening techniques are based on empathy, sympathy and responsiveness.
3 levels of empathy
Empathy involves showing the overseas chinese in usa data emotions that your interlocutor is experiencing. For example, if he is sad, the listener may also “shed a tear.”
Empathy allows you to offer help to your interlocutor if he is in a difficult life situation.
Sympathy forms a friendly feeling and favor towards the other person.
Active listening techniques
The use of each method of active listening is a way to study the inner world of another, when communication does not end with words alone. The conversation will become voluminous and informative, but at the same time it will require significant psychological and emotional efforts. All mental costs are fully compensated by the further formation of trusting and strong relationships.
Carl Rance Rogers formulated the basic methods of active listening technique:
Deep and heartfelt understanding of the interlocutor’s inner state.
A sincere display of feelings.
A complete absence of traditional roles that are limited to formal actions only.
Guaranteed fulfillment of promises.
Particular attention should be paid to empathy through silence, which consists of a complete absence of comments. Give your interlocutor the opportunity to express everything that is going on in his soul. At the same time, silence can be accompanied by non-verbal gestures that give a sense of interest in the vis-à-vis as a person. These signals can be expressed in facial expressions, head nodding and other signs that are appropriate during a conversation.
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So, let's look at active listening techniques:
Take a break
After the other person has shared their story, be silent for a few minutes. This small but very important break will help you better absorb the information you heard, put aside the emotional component and grasp the main point. The pause will give your interlocutor a chance to rest a little, and maybe they will remember something else and add to their story. Often, this technique helps a person open up even more.
Please clarify the details
The interlocutor can forget or miss many interesting and significant moments during the conversation. Pay attention to them. This is the best way to emphasize the importance of what he told and your sincere enthusiasm for the conversation. The technique of active listening prevents the emergence of omissions, helps to improve the relationship between you, to understand the overall picture of the conversation.
Develop your thoughts
Sometimes the interlocutor moves away from the main topic of the conversation, or it is difficult for him to find the right words to accurately convey the main topic. The technique of active listening can serve as an active assistant in such a situation. This method effectively develops the main idea. Try to tactfully return your interlocutor to the essence of the conversation.