“Listening is a talent we risk losing in a world of digital distractions and information overload,” says Seth Horowitz, an auditory neuroscientist at Brown University. According to studies, we only retain 25–50% of what we hear.
However, many of us are untrained in effective active listening, and we’re all too familiar with the feeling of being zoned out when communicating with others. In this article, we will explore approaches to practice active listening during your next meeting or phone call, so you can be an active participant in the communication process.
How to establish active learning during meetings?
1. Speaking is an art. Listening makes you an artist.
Listening is not just about hearing the words but understanding them. It is about connecting with the speaker on a deeper level. It can be difficult for some people because they do not listen enough. The first step in demonstrating active listening during meetings is to take notice of your body language and tone when you are speaking or listening and adjust accordingly!When speaking, try thinking about what you want your listener(s) to hear from their perspective and yours: What do they need right now? How will this information help them move forward? How can I best communicate this message without sounding like I am talking down on them? If you both work together on these questions, you will find more success eventually.
2. Listen to understand, not to respond.
Active listening is a two-way process: The speaker is not there to respond but to speak and share information. They are looking for feedback on what they say, so you must pay attention and ask questions whenever it seems necessary.Active listening helps you learn more about the topic: You can ask follow-up questions and clarify things as needed without interrupting or distracting from the speaker’s message.
3. Be inclusive with the speaker.
Active listening is a skill that you can develop with practice. The best way to demonstrate active listening is by being inclusive with the speaker, which means making sure everyone in the group gets their voice heard and that you listen to all of their ideas.In a meeting, ask questions to your participants to know where they stand on certain topics. It will enhance your ability to understand why someone might disagree with you or what they think could be better next time.
4. Acknowledge ideas before expressing your views.
Acknowledge other people’s ideas and opinions, even if you disagree with them. It shows that you are listening and interested in what the other person has to say. It also builds trust between the speaker and listener because it demonstrates that the person speaking is respected by their audience, which will make them more likely to speak up again later on when they need help or support from someone else.
Conclusion-
Active listening is an integral part of building relationships, which is essential for effective teamwork.
Active listening involves paying attention to what others are saying and trying to understand their perspective on the topic at hand. By actively listening, you will have a better understanding of how your team member feels about the problems discussed in the meeting, and whether they agree or disagree with your ideas and suggestions. It will allow you to create more productive meetings where everyone feels included and safe enough to speak up when they need something clarified during a conversation!
