ACTIVE LISTENING 4
Running head: ACTIVE LISTENING 1
Active Listening
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Active Listening
Active listening is a key component of communication as it serves various critical purposes. The most interesting thing is that it is a skill which can be acquired and developed through practice. It involves paying attention and having a full concentration of the speaker. It connects the listener and the speaker as the listener shows interest and the speaker gets encouraged.
The significance of active listening includes earning trust and respect from other people. This is because it shows that one is supportive and understanding as you’re ready to listen to others. It enables one to have a deeper understanding of what is being said and therefore solving issues becomes easier (Grohol, 2017). When one applies active listening, they can get all facts and details and therefore their approach on issues will be advanced.
Active listening is also a characteristic of professionals, and therefore it will enable me to build my career. Some responsibilities of professionals are conflict resolutions. For one to be able to resolve the conflicts wisely, active listening will be very vital. They also enhance leadership skills especially in the communication and therefore make me a competitive leader.
Various ways can be employed in the development of the skill. The major way of developing this skill is by the use of both verbal and non-verbal cues (Bodie et al., 2015). Such include maintaining eye contact, and occasional smiles show interest and encourage the speaker to continue speaking. The body posture also is used in developing active listening skill. This will involve postures like leaning forward to indicate that I am attentive. Active listening also will involve avoiding any distractions such as movements to concentrate the speaker. By practicing all these, I will be able to develop my active listening skills.
References
Bodie, G. D., Vickery, A. J., Cannava, K., & Jones, S. M. (2015). The role of “active listening” in informal helping conversations: Impact on perceptions of listener helpfulness, sensitivity, and supportiveness and discloser emotional improvement. Western Journal of Communication, 79(2), 151-173.
Grohol, J. M. (2017). Become a better listener: Active listening. Psych Central.