Active listening means to focus on the speaker with all your senses. Hearing is a physical ability, whereas listening is a skill that can be developed with practice. Doing so requires concentration and can be challenging to master because life is full of distractions. I have created an infographic that sets out eight steps that you can take to improve the quality of your listening.

Why actively listen? If you listen thoroughly to people, then you may find they listen fully to you. Properly attending to someone is vital if you want to ask useful and appropriate questions. Active listening enables you to assess if you have understood correctly and seek clarification. Taking time to absorb information and ideas by concentrating on how what is said also improves your response quality.

The experience of being heard at this deep level help people feel appreciated and valued, which in turn boosts self-esteem. Being known as someone who properly attends to a conversation will also improve your ability to create and maintain good relationships. It sounds like good reasons for making an effort to hone your listening skills.

Why not try these ideas for yourself. Practice each skill and notice the difference they can make in your communication and personal impact on others. 

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