The power of great listening skills can have a profound impact on various aspects of our lives, particularly in building supportive, empowering, and caring relationships. Aubree Henderson, who has a Masters Degree in Counseling & Human Development and is a Certified Professional Life Coach, dives into the vast realm of self-love, exploring communication and self-awareness, and their impact on our work relationships. Aubree highlights that the skill of effective listening is vital, unpacking how it can deepen our connections at work, and provides tools to foster trust and collaboration.
Active listening is the practice of preparing to listen, then listening with intention—specifically, working to understand the information shared by others and providing appropriate feedback. This is opposed to passive listening, where little effort or intention is invested. Essential aspects of active listening include being physically present, focused and attentive, as it requires thoughtful reflection and the ability to observe and acknowledge both verbal and nonverbal cues.
Taking it a step further, deep listening emphasizes a profound understanding of the underlying messages conveyed, not just through words, but also through the speaker's intentions and emotions. Deep listening fosters a profound connection between individuals. While active listening allows us to hear and reflect back the words spoken, deep listening goes beyond the surface level, understanding the deeper meaning behind the words and empathetically connecting with the speaker's perspective and emotions. To accomplish this, deep listening requires a sense of presence, embodiment, and inner peace within ourselves. By practicing active and deep listening, we can create meaningful relationships and foster trust in both personal and professional settings. The goal is not only to hear and reflect but to genuinely understand and make others feel valued and heard. This fosters a stronger sense of connection, collective understanding, and enables teams to collaboratively address challenges and find effective solutions.
“Listen deeply enough to be changed by what you hear.” - Adeola Whitney
A culture of deep listening, built upon effective listening skills, can have the following benefits in a workplace:
- People feel more fully heard and understood
- Teams feel connected to one another
- Deeper collective understanding of workplace challenges and conflicts
- Easier to identify solutions to problems more quickly
- Improved company culture and trust
- Creates a sense of empathy and shared humanity
Preparing for deep listening involves being fully present in both body and mind and requires mental focus and engagement.
Some strategies to become present before a conversation and prepare for deep listening include:
- Breathwork
- Body scanning for tension
- Mindfulness exercises
- Creating a distraction-free environment
However, it's not always possible to prepare in advance of a conversation. In such cases, being adaptable and present in the moment is key. Additionally, asking clarifying questions at the beginning of a conversation—such as understanding whether the person is looking to vent and needs a listening ear or is looking for help finding solutions—helps the listener recognize the appropriate approach.
Actively listening with the intent to understand, rather than merely reply, is crucial for effective communication. We often automatically begin mentally preparing our responses before the other person is finished speaking, and in the process often miss aspects of the message. When we practice deep listening, we give ourselves time to grasp the full picture.
Some tips for effective listening include:
- Paying attention to our inner world and distractions that may arise
- Avoiding the urge to formulate responses in our minds
- Taking notes
- Reflecting back on what we have understood
- Give the speaker an opportunity to clarify and confirm our understanding
- Acknowledging and appreciating ourselves for our efforts in developing active listening skills
By incorporating these strategies, we can enhance our listening abilities and build stronger connections with others. Ensuring we care for our own mental health and are the strongest version of ourselves will only help in building effective listening. With WellSet, you can enjoy a whole digital studio of holistic health classes that can provide you with the self-care that will allow you to develop the skills of an effective listener.
Contact our team to learn more about how WellSet can help your company.
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