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Effective Listening: Home

WHAT IS ACTIVE LISTENING?

"Active listening is a communication skill that involves going beyond simply hearing the words that another person speaks. It's about actively processing and seeking to understand the meaning and intent behind them. It requires being a mindful and focused participant in the communication process."

~ Arlin Cuncic, 7 Active Listening Techniques For Better Communication: It's time to start having more intentional conversations

Active Listening Is:

  • Actively de-centering from one’s fixed position
  • Being fully present with another.
  • A willingness to sit with the other’s perspective
  • Empathy for the other person's situation instead of singular focus on oneself
  • Showing respect and value for the other person’s needs, concerns, and ideas
  • Actively signaling that the other person matters to you.

~ Sabrina Romanoff, PsyD

Key Attributes of Active Listening:

  • Being fully present in the conversation
  • Showing interest by practicing good eye contact
  • Noticing (and using) non-verbal cues
  • Asking open-ended questions to encourage further responses
  • Paraphrasing and reflecting back what has been said
  • Listening to understand rather than to respond
  • Withholding judgment and advice