Do you sometimes zone out during a conversation, get distracted by technology, spend more time thinking about what you’re going to say next instead of listening, or feel upset when someone questions or dismisses your ideas? Don’t worry – you’re not alone.

6 tips to master active listening

We often assume it’s obvious that we’re practising active listening and that others know they’re being heard – however, this is not always the case!

What is active listening, and why is it important?

Active listening requires you to listen attentively to the person speaking, understand what they’re saying, respond and reflect on what’s being said, and retain the information for later.

Engaging in active listening as a leader in your business helps establish trust with your team, shows empathy towards others, builds a safe environment where everyone feels heard, and improves mutual respect and relationships.

We all know that to be an effective leader, you need to be a great communicator. While many think this means you need to have the “gift of the gab” – it’s more about honing your active listening skills and adhering to the 80/20 rule – spend 80% of the time listening, and 20% of the time talking.

How do you get better at active listing?

  1. Limit your interruptions – put your phone on silent, choose a quiet place to talk where you are less likely to be distracted, and give the other person your full attention

  2. Pay attention to what’s being said, not what you want to say. – instead of running your response through your head, take the time to listen to what they are saying – could you repeat the last sentence they said?

  3. Silence is OK! – Sometimes a break in conversation can be a good thing – it gives you and the other person a chance to collect your thoughts.

  4. Let their ideas be shared first – Here’s where the 80/20 rule can be applied. Sit back and encourage the other person to share their ideas first, while you listen attentively.

  5. Seek clarity – take time to ask questions if any of the issues are unclear, summarise what you’ve heard – and ask the other person if this is accurate. This will ensure you are both on the same page.

  6. Share and revisit – Offer your thoughts and opinions, but don’t dictate a solution. Sometimes it’s best for both parties to walk away and think through some solutions before agreeing on a time to revisit.

 If you feel ready to embark on a program to become a better leader through active listening – we’re only a call away – Let’s chat!