2.1.1 Good practice in active listening
The following key practices are not exhaustive but will help get you started in active forms of listening.
In the midst of busy organisational demands, it’s not always possible to follow all these guidelines – but it’s important that anyone involved in leadership learns to get as close to them as possible. In the next activity, you will practice active listening yourself.
Activity 1 Practising active listening
Sometimes when people are practising how to listen more effectively, they sit or stand back-to-back together. You can also close your eyes while communicating. Doing so removes visual stimulus and can force you to focus only on what the other person is saying.
Team up with a co-worker, friend or family member. Talk about a work issue for around two minutes while standing or sitting back-to-back, with eyes closed if this helps. If one or both of you are hearing impaired, try to find a quieter environment that will allow you both to focus on one another visually. Ask the person listening to summarise what you have said and to ask any questions that might help them better understand the issue. Now switch roles, so the speaker becomes the listener. When you have finished, have a discussion about what was gained and what was lost in the interaction.
Comment
Listening to someone when you are physically co-present but unable to see one another can help you focus on the content of what is said, as well as the emotional force behind it. This is because your other senses are being minimised, forcing you to pay attention to what you are hearing. However, it does remove important visual stimuli that can be used in interpretation.