Active Listening

Last updated February 13, 2022

Notes

Active listening involves consciously paying attention to who you’re listening to.
The following are theskills involved in active listening:
- Reflection
- Labelling emotions
- Asking questions
- Empathy
- Lived experienced
- Identify strengths
It involves mindfulness. and Self-awareness is important. You should be aware of your listening filters and personal thoughts.
It is also important that you show that you’re listening. You can show you’re listening through body language/ PEA approach.

Active listening is a great technique to help people feel better when they are going through hard times, dealing with loss, struggling with health issues, or just need to vent. Because active listening directs all focus towards the speaker, it removes potential sources of stress, conflict and discomfort that can happen in a regular conversation.¹
7 Cups Online Course²
- Active listening is:
  - Giving the person space to talk
  - Doing your best to understand
  - Showing kindness and empathy
  - Being present and attentive
- Active listening is not:
  - Trying to solve the person’s problems
  - Giving solutions or advice
  - Changing the subject
  - Sharing your own opinions
- Skills
  - Reflection
  - Labelling emotions
  - Asking questions
  - Empathy
  - Lived experienced
  - Identify strengths
- Limit advising
CPA Notes
- Being mindful
- Be mindful of personal thoughts
  - Personal thoughts
  - Listening filters
    - Selective attention and ignoring some things
- Showing active listening
  - Verbal & nonverbal
    - Verbal
      - Positive reinforcement
      - Remembering
      - Questioning
    - Nonverbal
      - PEA
        Posture
        Eyes
        Action