Let’s Be An Active Listener!

In the professional world, it is not only hard skills at work that we need to have. We also need to have good soft skills to support a career. One of them is active listening soft skill. This soft skill is important to be honed in order to support our development in the world of work.

By becoming an active listener who usually applies active listening practice, we will be able to give an appropriate response to the person we are talking to. Call it if we are involved in a discussion or meeting. By becoming an active listener, we will pay close attention to everything that is conveyed in the activity. So that we can provide an appropriate response and comprehensively capture the essence of the conversation. Being an active listener can keep you from missing important information and conveying unnecessary opinions.

Being an active listener will also make it easier for us to build good connections with work colleagues. The reason is, you will be able to easily understand what other people want by applying active listening practice. By understanding well what your coworkers are saying, this will make your colleagues feel heard and appreciated. With that too, it will be easier for us to work together in a team or on a project.

Ways to Be an Active Listener

In short, being an active listener means making a full and conscious effort to what the other person is saying. Not only on the words spoken, but also on the messages and emotions conveyed as a whole. Here are some steps you can take to become an Active Listener:

1. Pay Attention Thoroughly

Pay close attention to what your coworkers are saying. As much as possible, minimize distractions when coworkers are talking.

2. Behave

When coworkers are talking, we must maintain a listener attitude. Show that you value their message. Don’t jump to conclusions or interrupt the conversation. If you don’t agree with the message conveyed, express it and discuss it properly

3. Use body language

When your partner is talking, use body language as much as possible, such as nodding, maintaining eye contact, or smiling. This is intended so that your interlocutor knows that you are still listening to what they are talking about

That’s a brief explanation of what, how, and why it’s important to be an active listener in the professional world. Although it takes practice and a lot of time to be able to hone active listening skills, it’s good to start honing these skills as early as possible. One way is to often listen to audio materials such as podcasts. Let’s be an active listener!