What is Active Listening?
Active Listening is one of the most important communication skills that involves fully concentrating, understanding, responding to, and remembering what is being said. It involves a deeper level of engagement and empathy. Active listening helps to build trust, foster better relationships, and enhance overall team communication and collaboration.
Here are three evidence-based methods to enhance active listening in one-on-one conversations with individual team members.
Reflective Listening
Description:
Reflective listening involves paraphrasing or summarizing what the speaker has said to ensure understanding.
Method:
Leader: After the team member speaks, the leader responds with a summary or paraphrase of the key points.
- Eksempel: “It sounds like you’re feeling frustrated with the current project deadlines and believe we might need to reconsider the timeline. Is that correct?”
Clarifying and Confirming
Description:
Method:
Leader: Throughout the conversation, the leader periodically asks for clarification on specific points or summarizes to ensure accuracy.
- Eksempel: “I want to make sure I understand your concerns correctly. Are you saying that the main issue is the lack of communication within the team regarding project updates?”
Empathetic Listening
Description:
Method:
Demonstrates empathy by acknowledging the team member’s emotions and expressing understanding.
- Eksempel: “I can sense that this situation is causing you stress, and I appreciate your dedication to finding a solution. How can I support you in managing this challenge?”
These methods are grounded in evidence-based communication strategies and contribute to creating a positive and open communication environment within a team. Incorporating these active listening techniques can lead to improved relationships, increased employee satisfaction, and enhanced problem-solving within the team.
Sources: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/227030139_Effects_of_Training_Reflective_Listening_in_a_Corporate_Setting (07.02.2024)