Listening Skills

Objective

At the end of the session, the students will be able to:

• Explain the importance of listening

• Comprehend the importance of self-awareness for becoming an active listener

• Practice becoming an active listener

Listening Skills

Listening is a process of receiving, interpreting, and reacting to the messages received from the communication sender.

A process that involves three basic steps:

• Hearing

• Understanding

• Judging

Note: Listening is a mental process, whereas hearing is a physical process

Principles of Listening

1. Listen patiently

2. Understand

3. Paraphrase

4. Summarize

Passive Listening

Refers to listening without reacting, allowing someone to speak, without interruptions. The listener may or may not indulge in other activities while listening passively.

Benefits of Workplace Listening

• Creates rapport

• Accurate output

• Increase in productivity

• Happy workplace culture

• Understand others

• Learn new things

Self-Awareness for Active Listening

It is an important to be aware of one’s own behavior, feelings and habits while listening.

To know one’s own listening style in different scenarios, one should be aware of his/her own:

1. Body Language while listening

2. Eye contact maintained while listening

3. Comprehension of the speaker’s words

4. Choice of response

Active Listening

Active listening refers to being attentive and involved in the conversation. One must listen consciously and pay attention to words that are being said.

Importance of Active Listening:

1. Focused concentration

2. Builds rapport

3. Encourages the speaker

4. Respect for others