Do you feel that people really listen to you? Do you feel they understand the emotional content of what you are saying? Do they laugh off your comments, miss their real meaning or even disregard it? Do they seem preoccupied with their own thoughts even when you are talking to them?
Active listening is a skill taught primarily to counsellors and other health care professionals. It involves listening to, and focusing on, what the other person is saying with the whole of you. It involves understanding what has been said, including the emotional content and significance of the words, and reflecting back the meaning so that the person doing the talking knows they have been understood.
When you actively listen to someone you encourage them to explore their feelings further, without the fear that they may be judged or ridiculed. You don’t interrupt them, or give them your viewpoint on what they are saying – you listen.
Does this sound easy or difficult? Apart from in counselling situations when do you feel this skill would be useful?
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