How to Learn Interactive Listening Skills
Effective interactive listening skills are important for everyone from medical personnel and law enforcement officials to elementary school teachers and stay-at-home parents. In fact, the average person spends 30 percent of waking hours engaged in listening. Despite being integral to everyday life, though, effective listening is a learned skill, not an inborn ability. Interactive listening skills, such as asking clarifying questions and managing distractions, are learned through education, modeling and practice. Also known as active listening, interactive listening can help people navigate the challenges of interpersonal communication.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Educate yourself regarding interactive listening skills. Learn about different types or styles of listening, common barriers to effective listening, and steps toward more engaged listening. Even though many articles and books have been written about interactive listening, you only need to read two to three credible sources to find the information that you need.
-
2
Assess your own listening skills, including your nonverbal communication skills, either through a self-assessment or by asking a close friend or family member to give you honest feedback. Evaluating both your weaknesses, areas needing improvement and your strengths will help you to have a more accurate baseline against which to measure your growth or progress.
-
-
3
Think of two to three people in your life whom you believe model strong interactive listening. Watch how they engage with and listen to other people as well as yourself, asking these questions: "What do they do that is effective? What does not seem as effective?"
-
4
Begin to practice the interactive listening skills that you have read about and observed in your selected models. You may want to focus on one skill at a time, such as talking less or maintaining strong eye contact, until you become more familiar and comfortable with each skill.
-
5
Once you begin to feel more confident in your ability to practice interactive listening, then you may want to ask for honest critique from close family and friends. Explain to them what you have been seeking to do and ask them what you have been doing that has been effective. Then, ask them for one suggestion that they may have as to how you can further improve.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
When it comes to learning any skill, one of the most important ingredients is that of time. Continue to practice, even if you do not feel as if you are seeing immediate improvement. Also, enlist a support network to help cheer you on through the learning and to celebrate your growth with you.
Do not be too hard on yourself at any point in the learning process. Like any other communication skill, interactive listening is a learned ability. With the necessary time and practice, you can become competent and even exceptional at interactive listening.
