What are Listening Skills?

Listening skills contribute to your ability to accurately receive information when communicating
with others. These skills are an important part of effective communication in the workplace.
Developing good listening habits can help to ensure you understand the information correctly,
interpret messages accurately and optimize your conversations and communications for
efficiency.

Why are listening skills important?

Developing skills that can help you become a better listener is important for several reasons,
including:

Building relationships
Good listening can help you build and maintain positive relationships. Showing interest when
communicating with others can help you build trust and develop long-term, mutually beneficial
professional relationships. Good listening can help you prevent misunderstandings and perform
your duties accurately.

Learning new skills

Effective listening is an important way to help you learn new skills. In order to accurately follow
directions, it may be beneficial to develop skills and habits that contribute to the quality of your
listening. By listening closely to the advice, guidance and directions of your mentors or
supervisors, you may be able to learn new skills and advance your range of capabilities.

Performing effectively
Listening intently can help you accurately follow directions. By following directions exactly,
you may be able to improve your performance. By listening closely to directions, guidelines and
requirements, you may be able to avoid errors and improve your processes.

Types of listening skills

Below are four types of listening that can help you become a better listener:
Deep listening
Deep listening occurs when you're truly committed to understanding the speaker's perspective
and message. It includes paying attention to verbal and nonverbal cues to gain a full
understanding of the speaker's experiences, thoughts, feelings, and objectives. This type of
listening is especially useful when building relationships, establishing trust, and fostering
rapport.

Full listening
Full listening involves trying to fully comprehend the practical content of a speaker's message.
This type of listening often involves active listening skills, like paraphrasing and asking
clarifying questions. It can be particularly helpful when interpreting directions, learning new
material, or developing new skills.

Critical listening
Critical listening involves using logic and reasoning to separate opinion from fact when listening
to a speaker's message. It usually involves using previous knowledge or experiences to identify
factual content in communication. Critical listening can be especially important in professions
that use persuasive speaking, debating, or investigatory skills.

Therapeutic listening
Therapeutic listening is a more intimate type of listening that often involves receiving
information from a speaker about their challenges or emotional situations. Therapists, doctors
and counsellors often benefit from developing their therapeutic listening abilities.

How to practice active listening skills

Active listening is a combination of techniques that include careful listening, observation and
non-verbal clues. Below are seven skills that can help you improve your active listening abilities:

1. Limit distraction
An important part of active listening is limiting distractions so you can gather all the necessary
information and details of your speaker's message. Limiting distraction could mean putting your
phone away before entering into a conversation, having important conversations in a quiet,
private space, or allowing yourself a brief pause to ensure you fully understand your speaker's
message before responding.

2. Practice objectivity
Practicing objectivity and ensuring you receive all information without bias can help you remain
open to the messages and perspectives of your speaker. Even if you have a strong opinion about
the topic of conversation, setting aside your opinions in order to receive your speaker's message
without judgment can help you consider new possibilities and innovative perspectives.

3. Reflect
Reflecting refers to mirroring your speaker's message to convey that you understand their
message. Reflecting can help assure speakers of your comprehension and can indicate your
engagement in the conversation. This type of active listening skill can be especially helpful when
engaging in therapeutic communication. For example, if your speaker says, "I'm tired of working
late to make up for others who don't complete their tasks," you could say, "It sounds like you're
feeling frustrated and overlooked."

4. Clarify
An important part of active listening is asking questions when you need clarification. Clarifying
aspects of the conversation can indicate you're intently listening and provide you with an
opportunity to confirm your understanding. To clarify, you may use specific, simple questions
that require a "yes" or "no" as a response, or you may ask more general, open-ended questions
that require more elaboration from your speaker.

5. Summarize
Restating key themes and summarizing content is an effective skill that can contribute to your
ability to practice active listening. In the workplace, summarizing can help both parties confirm
they understand the next steps and responsibilities. To summarize, consider offering a brief
statement describing your speaker's primary message or key theme.

6. Use body language

Using body language to demonstrate your level of engagement is another important part of active
listening. You can use your body language to indicate your understanding by nodding, making
eye contact and responding with appropriate facial expressions. Body language may be
especially important for professionals who use therapeutic listening to complete their daily
duties.

7. Share
Sharing involves expressing your own thoughts, feelings and experiences to relate to your
speaker. This active listening technique can help you contribute to the conversation and align
expectations for the next steps, deliverables and responsibilities. You can also use sharing to
offer suggestions for improvement, build trust and maintain positive workplace relationships.

8. Give your full attention

Distractions can make it difficult to focus on what a speaker is telling you. In order to become a
good listener, limit as many distractions as possible and provide the speaker with your undivided
attention. This includes silencing your phone, turning off your computer and avoiding the urge to
multitask by checking emails or giving your attention to other tasks. This can help you focus on
the speaker and make sure that you are taking in everything that they are saying. Managing your
time correctly can also help you limit distractions while you are listening.

9. Pace the conversation

Being a good listener often includes opening a dialogue and allowing for a conversation to start
between you and the speaker. Pace the conversation by determining the goal of the speaker's
message and evaluating their body language to decide when it is appropriate for you to respond
with your own input. Instead of rushing to fill silences, allow the speaker to finish their thoughts
and acknowledge their message accordingly. This will also give you the time to absorb their
message and process what they are saying before it is time for you to respond.
 Communication Styles
What is a Communication Style?
Communication style refers to the way individuals express themselves, convey their thoughts,
and interact with others in the workplace. Understanding and adapting to different
communication styles is crucial for effective communication within a team.

By recognizing and accommodating diverse communication preferences, team members can

foster better personal relationships, improve team morale, overall productivity and become
effective communicators.
Types of Communication Style
Communication styles are diverse and dynamic, with individuals possessing unique personal
styles of expressing themselves and interacting with others. These styles shape how we convey
our thoughts, emotions, and intentions, influencing the quality of our relationships and the
effectiveness of our communication. In this article, we will explore five common types of
communication styles and discuss their characteristics, strengths, and potential challenges.2
1. Aggressive Communication Style

Aggressive communication style is characterized by dominating conversations, speaking loudly,

using intense eye contact, and belittling others. Individuals with this style tend to adopt an
aggressive behavior and assert their opinions forcefully, often disregarding the perspectives and
feelings of others.
Advantages of aggressive communication Style

One advantage of aggressive communication is that it allows individuals to express their ideas
and desires with confidence and assertiveness. It can also result in quick decision-making and the
ability to take charge in certain situations.
Disadvantages of aggressive communication Style

However, aggressive communication also has its disadvantages. It can create an intimidating and
hostile environment, making it difficult for others to speak up or share their thoughts. This style
can damage relationships and lead to poor collaboration and cooperation. Aggressive
communicators may also miss out on valuable input and perspectives from others, limiting their
ability to effectively problem-solve or make informed decisions.

In professional settings, an aggressive communication style may be seen as unprofessional and

may negatively impact one's reputation. It is important to cultivate self-awareness and practice
effective communication skills to avoid the pitfalls of aggressive communication and to create a
healthy and respectful communication environment.
2. Passive Communication Style

Passive communication style is characterized by individuals who tend to avoid conflict and have
difficulty expressing themselves assertively. In the workplace, passive communicators often
prioritize maintaining harmony and avoiding confrontation over effectively conveying their
thoughts and ideas. This communication style can have several effects in professional settings.
Advantages of passive communication style

Advantages of the passive communication style include maintaining harmony and reducing
tension in the workplace. This can lead to a more peaceful and positive work environment.
Passive communicators often prioritize the feelings and needs of others, which can contribute to
nurturing strong interpersonal relationships.
Disadvantages of passive communication style

However, this communication style also has disadvantages. Passive communicators may struggle
to assert themselves and may feel unheard or unvalued in professional settings. Their avoidance
of conflict can hinder open and honest communication, leading to unresolved issues.
Additionally, passive communication may limit career advancement opportunities as
assertiveness and effective communication skills are often highly valued by employers.

Furthermore, passive communication can hinder personal and professional growth. By avoiding
conflict and difficult conversations, passive communicators may have difficulty addressing
issues or providing constructive feedback. This can lead to unresolved conflicts and a lack of
personal development, as important issues are not properly addressed.
 3. Assertive Communication Style

The assertive style is widely recognized as the most effective and balanced communication style
in the workplace. Assertive communicators confidently express their thoughts and opinions
while also considering the viewpoints of others. The assertive approach fosters cooperation,
encourages compromise, and paves the way for healthy and constructive discussions.
Advantages of assertive communication style

The advantages of assertive communication are numerous. Assertive communicators practice

active listening, making an effort to understand others' perspectives and validate their feelings.
By doing so, they create an environment of trust and empathy, which leads to improved
collaboration and problem-solving. Additionally, assertive individuals protect not only their own
rights but also the rights of others, promoting fairness and equality within the workplace.
Disadvantages of assertive communication style

However, there can be some disadvantages to assertive communication if not implemented

appropriately. It is essential to strike a balance between expressing oneself and respecting the
opinions of others. Overly assertive behavior may come across as aggressive or dominating,
creating tension and hindering open communication. For assertive communicators, It's crucial to
maintain a respectful tone and approach, even when addressing challenging issues.

How to Improve Your Communication Style

Improving your communication style is crucial for fostering healthy relationships and successful
interactions. Here are some valuable tips and strategies to enhance your communication skills.
 Mindful Body Language and Facial Expressions: Pay attention to your nonverbal cues as
they can significantly impact how your message is received. Maintain open and welcoming body
language, make eye contact, and use facial expressions that convey interest and understanding.
 Active Listening: Actively listen to others by giving them your full attention. Show genuine
interest, ask clarifying questions, and summarize or paraphrase what you've heard to ensure
understanding. This demonstrates respect and validation for the speaker's perspective.
 Assertive Communication: Express your needs, thoughts, and feelings assertively, while also
being respectful of others. Use "I" statements to clearly convey your thoughts and avoid blaming
or accusatory language. This approach encourages open dialogue and helps prevent
misunderstandings.
 Encourage Open Dialogue: Create an environment of open communication by inviting others to
express their thoughts and opinions. Encourage diverse perspectives and demonstrate a
willingness to consider different viewpoints. This fosters collaboration, problem-solving, and
mutual understanding.
9 Characteristics of an Assertive Communication Style

Assertive communication involves various verbal and nonverbal qualities. Here are nine
examples from Pipas and Jaradat (2010) and Bishop (2013):

1. Direct eye contact shows that the speaker is strong and not intimidated.
2. An assertive stance or posture with the right balance of strength and casualness. For
example, standing rigid may come across as aggressive; whereas, slouching may be
perceived as weak.
3. Tone of voice. A strong voice conveys assertiveness, but raising one’s voice shows
aggression and is likely to be met with anger.
4. Facial expression. Expressions that are neither angry nor anxious are essential for sending
the right message.
5. Timing. Assertive communication must be executed at the right time (e.g., making
requests from one’s spouse in the middle of a dinner party is not likely to be well
received).
6. Nonthreatening, non-blaming language. For example, language such as “If you continue
to do that, you will be sorry!” is threatening rather than assertive.
7. Clarity. For example, “Can you please not be that way?” is vague, while “Can you please
not walk away when we’re talking?” more clearly conveys the speaker’s needs.
8. Positive language. For example, making a negative request (“Will you stop leaving your
papers all over the house?”) is less effective than a positive request (“Here is a divider
I’ve set up. Will you please place your papers here?”).
9. Language without criticism of one’s self or others. For example, phrases such as “I know
I’m overly sensitive, but could you please not use that word?” and “Didn’t anyone ever
teach you any manners?” are critical rather than assertive.