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Describe how you can become an active listener and improve your
listening competence.

User Creednmd
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2 Answers

5 votes

Final answer:

Active listening involves attentive participation in conversations, reflecting on non-verbal cues, and responding with empathy. Participating in discussions, asking questions, and employing reflective listening can improve relationships and performance in various settings. Avoiding judgment, remaining calm, and focusing on problem-solving are key in managing conflicts and enhancing listening skills.

Step-by-step explanation:

Improving Listening Competence

To become an active listener and improve listening competence, one should engage fully in conversations by focusing not only on the words being said but also on non-verbal cues such as body gestures and tone of voice. By doing so, we demonstrate that we are attentive and that we care about the speaker's perspective. It's important to participate actively in discussions, ask clarifying questions, and express your understanding of what has been communicated. This will enable you to build stronger interpersonal connections and effectively contribute in various settings.

Qualities of Good Listening Skills

  • Pay attention to emotions and ideas.
  • Avoid making judgments and interruptions.
  • Show empathy and understanding through non-verbal communication.
  • Offer advice or condolences only after fully grasping the speaker's position.

Additionally, using skills such as reflective listening to restate what was said can affirm that you are listening and help avoid misunderstandings. During conflicts, it is vital to remain calm, employ open-ended questions, and focus on problem-solving rather than assigning blame. In professional settings like performance evaluations, being proactive and actively engaging by discussing achievements and setting goals is essential.

Lastly, a critical aspect of active listening, similar to critical reading, is evaluating the logic and plausibility of what's being communicated. To be an active participant, one should remain willing to adapt and respond professionally to feedback, showing a readiness to learn and grow.

User David Kirkland
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3 votes

Final answer:

To be an active listener, one should engage in conversations, use non-verbal communication effectively, manage one's own emotional responses, employ open-ended questions and rephrasing to demonstrate understanding, and be proactive in discussions while approaching conflict with care and aiming for resolution.

Step-by-step explanation:

To become an active listener and improve your listening competence, you can employ several strategies. First, fully engage in conversations by participating in discussions or meetings, which includes asking questions for clarification and offering your ideas. This demonstrates interest and involvement. To convey empathy and understanding without premature judgements, use non-verbal cues such as facial expressions and gestures. This helps the speaker feel heard and valued.

It's also crucial to listen for the underlying emotion and to manage your own emotional response. In times of conflict, select your words with care, aim to remain calm, and focus on understanding the other person's perspective through open-ended questions. Rephrasing what you heard can affirm your attentiveness and clear up misunderstandings. Aim for resolution over blame, and respond to feedback professionally, not defensively.

Lastly, take ownership of your role in communication by admitting mistakes, staying accountable, and being proactive in discussions, such as during a performance evaluation. Showing enthusiasm, discussing accomplishments, and expressing concerns are all part of being an active participant in your professional growth.

The complete question is:

Describe how you can become an active listener and improve your

listening competence. is:

User Udaya Sri
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9.3k points