Have you ever zoned out while someone is talking? Found yourself communicating without really being aware of what the other person is saying? While it’s easy to find ourselves in these moments of distraction, an attentive approach to a speaker’s verbal and non-verbal forms of communication can make interactions more meaningful and effective.
Active listening is a communication technique that involves giving free and undivided attention to the speaker. Although on the surface this seems like a straightforward skill, it scarcely occurs during everyday discussions, as people tend to focus more on their opportunity to speak. Active listening, on the other hand, is a challenging task requiring intense concentration on what a speaker is conveying, or attempting to convey.1
When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen.
– Ernest Hemingway