Pin15 Buffer2 Share Share Tweet 17 Shares Theyre maintaining eye-contact and nodding slightly now and then. But are they really listening? Do they understand what youre saying? Do they even care? Show This person is a textbook passive listener. Youre getting no real feedback from them. If youve ever asked the question, Why is active listening so important? its conversations like this one that answers it. You want more than a sounding board. You want real engagement. So, what does active listening look like? And is it always better? Whats In This Article: [show]
Active Vs. Passive ListeningWhat are the main differences between active listening and passive listening?
Differences aside, how do you practice active listening when the occasion requires it? And how can you encourage your conversation partners to do the same? What is Passive Listening?The passive listener doesnt have a part in the communication. Their role is to simply listen. This is ideal for situations where a speaker addresses a group of people or when the listener is enjoying music on the radio, a podcast, or theater production. Its not ideal, though, for situations where the one speaking would like some feedback or at least some proof that the listener is paying attention and making an effort to understand.
In some cases, the speaker may only want a sounding board, in which case passive listening is all they want. But most people prefer a two-way conversation. Passive Listening ExamplesWere all passive listeners sometimes. Here are some notable examples of when it makes sense to be one:
More Related Articles: List Of 600 Personality Traits The Ultimate List of Emotions To Better Understand Yourself And Others 13 Warning Signs Of A Self-Centered and Self-Absorbed Person What is Active Listening?Active listening involves more effort than passive listening. The goal is to fully understand what the other person is saying, to avoid misunderstandings and erroneous assumptions. You do this by means of the following:
To practice active listening, its also important to know what not to do in a conversation:
Ideally, whenever two people are talking to each other, both are active listeners. Both give evidence of their full attention and desire to understand, as well as possible, what the other is saying. One listener may be more active than the other, especially if one is distracted or wants to talk about something else. But the best conversations are those where both people are fully engaged. And active listening is the best way to ensure that. Active Listening ExamplesThe better we get at active listening, the more we practice it. Here are some examples of situations where active listening is critical to the success of the conversation:
How will you use active listening and passive listening?Now that you know the differences between active listening and passive listening, you know better than to say that active listening is always superior. But youre also better equipped to practice active listening in one-on-one conversations. Think about moments where you grew frustrated with passive listeners or with those who pretended to listen but were only listening for points they could argue with. You deserve better. So do all the people in your life who need a good listener. May you always be the listener they need. And may you find the same for yourself. Pin15 Buffer2 Share Share Tweet 17 Shares |