Active Listening
Communication skills are at the heart of everything we do each day, whether at home, at work, or at play. Active listening encompasses the best of communication, including listening to what others are saying, processing the information, and responding to it in order to clarify and elicit more information. This course will help you develop and practice your active listening skills to build stronger relationships and become a more effective communicator.
What you'll learn
- Define active listening and its key components
- Identify ways to become a better listener
- Use body language to reflect a positive listening attitude
- Understand the difference between sympathy and empathy, and when each is appropriate
- Create a listening mindset using framing, positive intent, and focus
- Be genuine in your communications
- Understand the communication process
- Ask questions, probe for information, and use paraphrasing techniques
- Build relationships to create an authentic communication experience
- Identify common listening problems and solutions
Preview a lesson
Body Language Basics When you are listening to others, it's important that you pay attention to what your own body is communicating. Your body language should reflect a positive listening attitude. Do you lean forward slightly to indicate engagement? Do you avoid rolling your eyes or making dismissive gestures? The Impact of Non-Verbal Communication In significant — though often debated — research, Albert Mehrabian found that when discussing emotions, only **7%** of the speaker's message was communicated through words. **Tone of voice** accounted for approximately **38%** of the meaning, while **body language** accounted for around **55%**. This suggests that the words themselves play only a small part in conveying emotional meaning. Even in everyday conversations not focused on emotions, tone of voice and body language have a substantial impact on how messages are received and interpreted. *(Source: Silent Messages by Albert Mehrabian)* What Positive Body Language Looks Like Positive body language during a listening interaction includes: **Maintaining eye contact** to show focus and interest **Nodding** occasionally to affirm that you are following along **Leaning slightly forward** to signal engagement **Keeping an open posture** — uncrossed arms and relaxed shoulders **Facing the speaker** directly rather than at an angle **Mirroring** the speaker's energy level subtly to build rapport What Can Ruin a Conversation Just as positive body language builds connection, negative
…Enroll to read the rest and the full curriculum.
Curriculum
Defining Active Listening
3 lessons- textWhat is Active Listening?
- textTips for Becoming a Better Listener
- quizModule 1 Quiz
Body Language Basics
2 lessons- textThe Role of Body Language in ListeningPreview
- quizModule 2 Quiz
Attitude is Everything
3 lessons- textUnderstanding Sympathy and Empathy
- textMaintaining Focus and Being Genuine
- quizModule 3 Quiz
Encouraging Conversation
3 lessons- textWhat Is Said and What Is Heard
- textProbing and Paraphrasing Techniques
- quizModule 4 Quiz
Building Relationships
2 lessons- textBuilding Common Ground and Rapport
- quizModule 5 Quiz
Getting Over Listening Roadblocks
2 lessons- textCommon Listening Problems and Solutions
- quizModule 6 Quiz