By Bonnie Evie Gifford / In Happiful
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"Active listening is all about focusing on, and engaging with, what is being said, paraphrasing the discussion, and reflecting this back – all without offering judgement or advice. Through active listening, we can help others to feel heard and valued. Over time, this can improve our relationships, by showing we are both attentive, and care about what others have to say."
“So many times people appear to be listening, but instead they are formulating their own replies, ready to interject when there is a pause. Instead, let the silence continue until the speaker gives you a verbal or non-verbal clue that they are ready to continue – they may look up at you and smile, ask if you understand their viewpoint, or even cry. Whatever they do it’s their time, their space in which they can be heard.”
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“What’s happening in this silence is you are giving the speaker time to think, to reflect, to add, to be,” says Beverley. “Think of the silence as a bit of breathing space, helping the speaker reframe.”
"It’s good to remember that people reach out to speak with us for all manner of reasons. Not everyone is looking for a solution. Sometimes, they just want to be heard. I think that’s something that we can all empathise with."
Image: Happiful