1. Attending:
* Nonverbal Cues: Paying close attention to the speaker's body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice. This helps you understand the emotions and underlying messages they might not be saying explicitly.
* Active Engagement: Showing the speaker you are listening through nods, eye contact, and appropriate facial expressions.
* Minimal Encouragers: Using verbal cues like "uh-huh," "I see," or "go on" to encourage the speaker to continue.
2. Understanding:
* Empathy: Trying to see the world from the speaker's perspective. This doesn't mean agreeing with them, but understanding their feelings and motivations.
* Clarifying: Asking questions to ensure you're understanding their message accurately. This includes paraphrasing what they said and checking your understanding.
* Summarizing: Periodically summarizing the main points of the conversation to make sure you are on the same page.
3. Responding:
* Supporting: Offering verbal and nonverbal expressions of empathy and understanding.
* Respectful Dialogue: Engaging in a two-way conversation, offering your own perspectives and opinions without interrupting or dismissing the speaker's thoughts.
* Authenticity: Being genuine in your responses and showing your genuine interest in the speaker's well-being.
4. Remembering:
* Active Recall: Making an effort to remember key details from the conversation, which demonstrates your attentiveness and helps build trust.
* Following Up: Remembering what was discussed and following up appropriately, whether it's checking in later or taking action on something agreed upon.
5. Building Trust:
* Honesty: Being truthful and transparent in your interactions.
* Openness: Being willing to share your own thoughts and feelings appropriately.
* Consistency: Demonstrating reliable and consistent behaviors that show you are a trustworthy listener.
By incorporating these components, you can develop strong and meaningful relationships through active listening, empathy, and authentic communication.