Which is the most important characteristic of active listening?
The listener should communicate his or her attention through non-verbal means like eye contact, erect posture, nodding, and other positive body language.
Listening is a conscious activity based on three basic skills: attitude, attention, and adjustment. These skills are known collectively as triple-A listening.
Attentively and eager to really understand what someone is trying to say. Good listeners seem to carry this power around with them wherever they go. It surrounds them, they mediate a sense of trust and warmth. Conversations with them usually just “flow” and you leave feeling refreshed and understood.
It requires far more listening than talking. Your goal as an active listener is to truly understand the speaker's perspective (regardless of whether you agree) and to communicate that understanding back to the speaker so that he or she can confirm the accuracy of your understanding.
The attentive listener tends to lean slightly forward or sideways while sitting. Other signs of active listening may include a slight slant of the head or resting the head on one hand. Automatic reflection/mirroring of any facial expressions used by the speaker can be a sign of attentive listening.
Reviewing progress; pulling the important ideas, facts & feelings together; establishing as basis for further discussion Restate major ideas expressed including feelings “These seem to be the key ideas you have expressed...' “What I hear you saying is ...” “Is it about ...?” “Let me make sure I understand you ...”
Active listening is a way of listening and responding to another person that improves mutual understanding. It is an important first step to defuse the situation and seek solutions to problems. This lesson gives students the opportunity to identify what active listening is and why it is important in managing conflicts.
Active listening is an important part of your communication skill set because it encourages openness, honesty, and success. When you pay attention to your conversation partner, you show that person they are being heard, thus building trust and making that person feel like their words matter to you.
