Active Listening

One of my last blog focused on communication; listening with the intent to understand. In keeping with that theme I am writing today about Active Listening. It is a technique used to ensure you understand the message being provided. I use this on a day-to-day basis in my professional life and on occasion in my personal life. It helps in all sorts of circumstances; for clarity, true understanding, and a determining the path forward from a conversation.

Definition on Active Listening from Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active_listening

Basically restating in your own words what was said to you; and giving the confirmation you understand. It works simply and I find it is very easy to say during a conversation: “Let me restate in my own words what I heard you say….”

I find more often than not that the intended message was NOT correct; either I misunderstood the message, or there was a lack of clarity in the original delivery. It gives the sender of the message a chance to restate or clarify certain points. In the end we all win. The sender knows their message was received and we both walk away confident in the communication itself and the go forward path we both need to be on.

I encourage you to try Active Listening in your day to day life and see what it changes for you!

#communication #projectmanagement