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1.3 ACTIVE LISTENING

                 Active  listening  is a  crucial skill in professional settings,  as it  enhances  communication,  strengthens
                 relationships, and improves productivity. It plays an important role at workplace due to following reasons:
                   Enhances Understanding: Active listening helps employees and employers understand instructions,
                     feedback, and concerns clearly, reducing miscommunication.
                   Builds Stronger Relationships: Paying attention and responding thoughtfully fosters trust and
                     collaboration among colleagues.

                   Boosts Problem-solving: Listening carefully allows individuals to analyse issues effectively and provide
                     better solutions.
                   Increases  Efficiency: When employees  listen attentively, they complete tasks  accurately, minimizing
                     errors and the need for repeated instructions.
                   Encourages Respect and Teamwork: A workplace culture that values listening promotes respect and
                     cooperation among team members.

                 Steps to Active Listening

                 Active listening is an art that combines the desire to understand with the ability to support and empathise
                 with the speaker. It can have an impact on your job effectiveness, quality of your relationship with others and,
                 as a result, your general well-being. Active listening enables you to comprehend the issues and contribute to
                 developing solutions.


























                 The following are some of the factors that influence active listening:
                   Eye Contact: Eye contact is a crucial aspect of active listening as it helps establish engagement, trust,
                     and  understanding  between  the  speaker  and  listener.  Maintaining  appropriate  eye  contact  shows
                     attentiveness, conveys respect, and encourages open communication. It also helps the listener interpret
                     non-verbal cues such as facial expressions and emotions, leading to better comprehension. Balanced
                     eye contact  prevents distractions and reassures the speaker that their message  is  valued. However,
                     excessive eye contact may feel intimidating, while too little can appear disinterested. For example, in a
                     classroom, when a student maintains eye contact with the teacher while they explain a concept, it signals
                     interest  and  understanding,  encouraging  the  teacher  to  elaborate  further.  Striking  a  natural  balance
                     by  maintaining  steady  but  comfortable  eye  contact  enhances  effective  communication  and  fosters
                     meaningful conversations.

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