

Now that we are familiar with the concept and traits of AEL, how do we apply it to our everyday lives? AEL is like any other skill, it requires practice and effort. LIFE Intelligence: DIY Therapy in Your Pocket Many of these traits may appear to be innate, however, they can be learned and practiced. For example, someone may pay more attention to what their boss is saying versus what their significant other is saying (Lipetz et al., 2020). The importance of these traits may vary depending on the context as well. Some of these traits may seem quite obvious such as responsiveness and attentiveness, however, attributes such as supportiveness and open-mindedness may be less apparent. While being a good listener does call for a high degree of attentiveness, it requires an amalgam of other elements.

(2020) were able to isolate the most prevailing traits identified as good listening skills and determine their frequencies. These qualities ranged from providing a sense of confidence or giving an amiable response. There were a total of 66 common traits that fell into the categories of attention, empathy, and comprehension. These contexts were: AEL in relationships, friendships, coworkers/managers, and general conversation. In fact, research conducted by Lipetz and colleagues (2020) recruited 192 participants and asked them what traits a good listener should have across 4 different contexts. So, is paying attention to a conversation the only attribute of active listening? Not at all. While these 3 components only brush the surface, they are the fundamentals of AEL. We may even read about these 3 characteristics and think we already do perform these traits in our daily lives.

An active listener might ask questions such as, “that is such an interesting job, what inspired you to pursue it?” “Where do you want to end up working?” Not only does asking questions signal to the speaker that you are invested in the conversation, but it also promotes social support.Īctive listening may seem like a peculiar notion since most of us would characterize ourselves as good listeners. For example, a friend is talking about their dream job. Rather than just moving on, it will show the speaker you are truly curious about what they have to say. Active listening involves asking questions that allow the speaker to go into more detailįocus on how, what, when, where, why questions. This aspect is heavily intertwined with the following elementģ. An active listener would say something along the lines of “wow you had to wait at the DMV all day? That must have been incredibly frustrating.” Not only does it show attentiveness, it displays support as well. For example, someone is talking about how they had to stand in line all day at the DMV. Paraphrasing or relaying back what the speaker was talking about shows them you were paying attention and showing interest in what they were saying. Active listening involves echoing the speaker’s message back to them Something as simple as maintaining eye contact, having an appropriate expression, or turning your body toward the speaker can indicate you are paying attention to and showing genuine interest in the conversation.Ģ.
ACTIVE LISTENING IN COMMUNICATION MOVIE
Moreso with our friends and family, it can be easy to talk to someone while scrolling on your phone, watching a movie or TV show, or paying attention to something else entirely. Head nods, posture, eye contact, and facial expressions fall under this category. Active listening includes nonverbal cues that express attentiveness and engagement
