Power of effective listening

Paulomi Rahman Nisha :

The decline in listening skills is not limited to our virtual interactions alone. Even in face-to-face conversations, many struggle to resist the urge to interject or monopolize the conversation. As a result, dialogues turn into monologues, and the true essence of communication is lost. We must recognize that listening is an essential element of effective communication, and it requires practice and conscious effort to master.
Active listening differs from hearing in that it requires complete attention in addition to hearing the noises made by the speaker. It is about understanding, empathy, and forging meaningful connections. When we listen attentively, we create space for dialogue, allowing diverse voices to be heard and fostering a sense of inclusivity. When it is done correctly by giving verbal and nonverbal feedback to the speaker, it can allow engaging people, prevent misunderstandings, promote workplace collaboration, resolve conflicts, and win people over.
Listening also helps in building stronger relationships, resolving conflicts, and gaining new perspectives that can challenge our preconceived notions. Being genuinely heard can improve relationships by making people feel understood, confident, and connected.
While it is clear that active listening helps people build stronger connections with those around them, it also has value for businesses. Promoting active listening and communication platforms can increase customer satisfaction, boost client retention, and create a positive business culture. As long as management listens to and acts on proposals, innovation, and process improvements can also gain. The majority of effective leaders have good listening abilities.
In real life, active listening is the most challenging kind of interpersonal communication. This is merely a result of the fact that our brains can only process words at a rate that is incredibly slow compared to how quickly we talk. While we are listening, our brain has some free time for thought, which can be employed constructively or destructively. Many of us do not naturally have the ability to be active listeners. Due to the numerous demands on our attention in today’s world, this is made even more challenging.
There’s a great saying, “Listen at least as much as you talk.” When speaking with someone, remember the following acronym: The acronym W.A.I.T. stands for “Why Am I Talking?” We must recognize and check any biases or prejudices. Before rushing in, pause. How many times have we been busy composing a response before someone has finished speaking? The majority of us do this, which increases the likelihood that we may overlook complexities, verbal and visual signs, or an unexpected revelation.
It is very important to value the speaker’s opinion. It is crucial creating a listening-friendly environment. Finding a distinct space, being fully present, turning off the internet and phone, keeping eye contact, paying attention, asking thoughtful questions, and demonstrating empathy toward the speaker will all help to concentrate on the conversation. Our listening skills can also be checked with a quick self-assessment while listening to somebody. If you can summarize a speaker’s points you are a fantastic listener.
Body language also plays a major role here. It is vital to maintain eye contact at least most of the time. If you make consistent eye contact, you are a good listener. It is a stimulating approach to express interest, comprehension, and concentration. We can boost the conversation’s energy by using body language.
It is crucial that you bring a true desire to listen instead of acting like you’re listening to the other person. If you approach every conversation with curiosity and a sincere desire and a genuine interest in others, this will show through in how the other person feels your presence.

(The writer is a CELTA Certified Language Teacher, Academician & ELT practitioner, Birmingham, UK).