Objective:
The objective of this lesson is to equip learners with active listening skills that will foster personal growth and improve their interpersonal relationships, both personally and professionally. By the end of this lesson, participants will understand the components and benefits of active listening, be able to apply these skills in various scenarios, and recognize the significant impact these skills can have on their own development.
Comprehensive Content Overview:
Active listening is a communication technique that requires the listener to fully concentrate, understand, respond, and then remember what is being said. This is opposed to passive listening, where the listener may not be fully engaged with the speaker. Active listening involves several key components:
- Non-verbal cues such as nodding, eye contact, and leaning forward..
- Verbal affirmations like “I see” or “I understand”..
- Asking open-ended questions..
- Reflecting or paraphrasing to show comprehension..
- Summarizing the speaker’s points..
- Avoiding interruptions and allowing the speaker to finish..
- Empathizing with the speaker’s situation..
In-depth Explanations with Actionable Insights:
Non-verbal Cues: Body language speaks volumes about your level of engagement. To practice active listening, maintain eye contact without staring, nod in acknowledgment, and position your body toward the speaker to show interest.
Example: When a colleague is sharing a complex problem, nod and maintain appropriate eye contact to indicate that you are following along.
Verbal Affirmations: Use short verbal acknowledgments ...
