How can you use active listening to show appreciation for your colleagues' ideas?

In 2008, when I began my training as a Performance Coach, one of my mentors, while observing me during practice, told me: "You have to make the person in front of you the most important thing. Stop thinking about what you are doing." to say or ask and focus on listening with all your attention." This simple and powerful advice has stayed with me ever since, and the thousands of people I have worked with have given me feedback on being an excellent listener, which I appreciate.

Active listening is not just a strategy, it is the ability to recognize and value your colleagues in a way that creates an environment where everyone feels inspired, motivated and part of something bigger than themselves. Being heard without an agenda is a gift we all need to offer.

As a therapist, I appreciate the importance of active listening, which we also teach to our aspiring therapy students. However, it's essential to recognize that while active listening is highly valued in society, it can also inadvertently privilege individuals who are able-bodied and neurotypical through its coded language and emphasis. I wouldn't feel right discussing active listening without acknowledging the inherent power we assign to it and how it can be challenging for neurodivergent individuals. Our demonstration of understanding and being present extends beyond active listening. Even if someone seems like they're not listening or processing, they likely are in their own way.

At its core, active listening involves experiencing and displaying genuine interest, curiosity, and openness towards the thoughts and experiences of others. Thus, when we engage in active listening with colleagues - providing our undivided attention and expressing a sincere desire to truly comprehend their perspective - we communicate that we highly value their ideas, thereby encouraging them to innovate and share more.

Active listening is more than just hearing words; it's a deliberate and empathetic engagement with the speaker's thoughts and emotions. By tuning into verbal and non-verbal cues, one not only comprehends the message but also fosters meaningful connections, demonstrating genuine interest and respect for the speaker's perspective. In a world often characterized by constant noise, the art of active listening stands as a powerful tool for building trust, resolving conflicts, and enriching the quality of human interactions...

Active Listening involves a true seeing of the other and the skills supportive in conveying our 'seeing' of the other. Using active listening in teams to appreciate the other means spotting or noticing something good in your team member. So training ourselves to see what's good in what the other person has said or done and conveying this. It helps to be specific. For example, I really appreciate when you said (state something specific) or did (state something specific) Or I really appreciate how you handled this project. What I appreciated was how you (state something specific you observed)

Active listening is like the secret sauce of communication! According to what coaching gurus taught us, we need to spend around 80% of our time listening during coaching sessions and the remaining 20% asking questions based on what we've listened to and what we heard. But active listening goes beyond just hearing words. It involves tuning in to the unsaid - like voice tone, body language, and eye contact. When we practice active listening, we show our full attention and presence to those who are sharing their thoughts and ideas. As an educator, when I nail this technique, it makes stakeholders feel respected, valued, and more willing to open up and help find solutions to any conflicts that may arise.

Active listening to show appreciation for your colleagues' ideas involves several key steps: 1. Pay Full Attention: Give your complete focus to the speaker, avoiding distractions. This shows that you value their input. 2. Maintain Eye Contact: This demonstrates engagement and interest in what they are saying. 3. Nod and Show Acknowledgment: Non-verbal cues like nodding show that you are following along and appreciate their ideas. 4. Reflect and Clarify: Paraphrase or summarize their points to ensure you've understood them correctly. This reflects respect for their perspective. 5. Ask Questions: Inquire for more details or clarification. This shows you are interested in delving deeper into their ideas.

Simple, la escucha activa es crucial para los líderes de equipos, ya que fomenta la comprensión profunda, fortalece la empatía y promueve un ambiente colaborativo. Esto sin dudas ayuda a sintonizar con atención las ideas y preocupaciones de los miembros del equipo, los líderes pueden entonces tomar decisiones más informadas y cultivar relaciones sólidas, impulsando así el éxito conjunto en el entorno laboral.

Maintain an open-minded and curious approach, refraining from judgment or interruption. Actively explore different perspectives, even if they diverge from your own. Seek clarification to ensure a comprehensive understanding, fostering a rich and nuanced conversation. Infuse empathy and respect into your listening. Acknowledge and validate the speaker's emotions, feelings, and motivations. Show appreciation for their contributions, recognizing their experiences and challenges. Constructive feedback should be specific, positive, and helpful, free from criticism or blame.

Being present and curious are the keys to active listening. My practice of active listening includes: 1. Ask questions to seek understanding on where they come from and what they mean. 2. Validate my understanding by reflecting my understanding using my own words 3. Seek confirmation on my understanding of speaker's feelings and emotions

My school aged kids learn about Full Body Listening; this simple framework is helpful for adults as well. Eyes: Make eye contact (phone down!) Ears: Listen beyond words for the tone and pace of the speaker's voice Mouth: Avoid interrupting, wait for your turn to speak Hands: Avoid fidgeting or distracting movements Feet and Body: Face the speaker and keep your body calm and open Heart: Show empathy and understanding through your facial expressions and body language

Acknowledge their idea with a nod or verbal affirmation, paraphrase to confirm understanding, and ask clarifying questions to demonstrate genuine interest. This validates their contribution and fosters a deeper connection.

I believe that active listening requires us to clear our mind of our own agenda, thoughts, and reactions. When we do this we allow ourselves to be completely present with the person and truly hear what they are saying both verbally and non verbally. Active listening is crucial in building rapport and relationships. As a psychologist this is crucial in building therapeutic alliance and trust with clients.

Active listening begins with entering into an encounter with a changed inner attitude. It is characterized by curiosity and openness. It is about really engaging with the other person and their perspective - independent of the dimensions of right and wrong. Mindfulness also means being aware of emerging judgments and consciously putting them aside for now. Resisting the impulse to prepare your answer while listening. A beginner's mind, which we can cultivate through mindfulness practice, helps us to do this. The friendly recognition of our not-knowing. Appreciating the perspectives of others. Too often we want to be perceived as experts - because that's what we've been taught. But in doing so, we lose out on valuable conversations.

Someone who hadn't ever been to college even, imparted this simple wisdom for active listening: Don't interrupt until the other person 'empties' themselves. Somehow, that resonated with me.

A young man learned from his father, the tribal chief, to listen to every person who wanted to speak before speaking himself. This way he addressed all concerns, had the most comprehensive overview of the issues, and included the most stakeholders in finding effective and diplomatic solutions. This happened in South Africa and the young man was the Honourable Mandiba Nelson Mandela.

In my experience as a trauma therapist, it’s also important to gauge and maintain one’s own emotional regulation while actively listening. This requires we not only stay attuned to the other person’s non verbal cues and signs of regulation but check in with ourselves. Principles of interpersonal neurobiology speak to this.

To engage in active listening, it is crucial to adopt a receptive mindset and adhere to the principle of listening twice as much as speaking, symbolized by the 2:1 ratio of ears to mouth. Active listening proficiency is discernible through one's ability to accurately mirror the speaker's message, purpose, and emotional state by analyzing their verbal cues, facial expressions, and nonverbal behavior.

The process of active listening aids in generating a plethora of ideas and enhances the quality of those ideas. It provides a platform for effective problem-solving, offering a holistic understanding of challenges and paving the way for innovative solutions. Beyond idea generation, active listening contributes to effective communication. By tailoring your message to the audience, anticipating questions and concerns, and incorporating feedback, you enhance your ability to convey ideas persuasively. This, in turn, strengthens your impact and value within the collaborative space.

By actively listening, we inculcate deep insights into the necessity, urgency, alternate solution and understand emotions of others. This helps us to be creative, stimulating our sense of curiosity, amplifying our imaginative thinking. By being attentive to our target audience, we enhance positive engagement and motivating people around us.

Active listening necessitates adopting a neutral stance that aligns with being receptive to novel concepts. By engaging in active listening, individuals can avoid self-imposed limitations that hinder creativity.

E uma maneira de inclusão, onde se tem oportunidade de ouvir diferentes opiniões e abrir seus horizontes para o desenvolvimento pessoal e profissional.

El mayor beneficio, es, que con la escucha activa, puede salir una pila de ideas y aportaciones, que puede aumentar el beneficio tanto personal como profesional, tener una mejor resolución de problemas, ideas más creativas para campañas de marketing y ayudar a responsables a ser mejores ayudando a los subordinados.

Höre ich anderen erst einmal zu, kann ich meinen Horizont, mein Wissen und meine Kreativität erweitern. Zudem kann mein Ehrgeiz angestachelt werden, so dass ich Lust bekomme, das eine oder andere in meinem Leben umzugestalten. Eben Erwähntes geschieht nicht, wenn ich unablässig von mir spreche und von meiner eitlen Wichtigkeit berauscht bin.

Es fördert zudem die Geduld & innere Gelassenheit. Aktives Zuhören bringt einen dazu, den Gegenüber wirklich verstehen zu wollen und nicht gleich mit Gegenargumenten zu überrennen. 😉 Zudem schätzt es der Gesprächspartner, wenn man ihn ausreden lässt. Wenn man seine Argumente dann noch einmal wiederholt und hinterfragt, fühlt er sich ernst genommen und das Gespräch verläuft auf einem völlig neuen Niveau ab.

Active listening can build trust and psychological safety, which is the foundation to anything. When you have a team that feels safe sharing their ideas, creativity and problem solving tends to flow more freely.

Etre en proximité d'un client grâce à l'écoute active me donne accès à des questions plus percutantes, et souvent me permet de suggérer des solutions que le client à déjà en lui.

Treat every conversation as a masterclass. Whether in brainstorming sessions or casual chats, be the student eager to learn. In this continuous learning, you'll find your listening skills improving, and transforming.

Practice Empathy 💙 Try to understand the speaker's perspective and feelings. Empathy can bridge gaps in communication and foster a supportive environment. Nonverbal Cues Matter 💙 Pay attention to the speaker's body language and tone of voice. Nonverbal signals can provide additional context to the words being spoken. Reflect and Clarify 💙 Paraphrase what you've heard and ask clarifying questions. This ensures you've understood the speaker correctly and helps to deepen your comprehension of their message.

Mindful conversations are so important, it makes people feel valued and listened. It’s important to practice mindful listening, showing the “speaker” that you are paying full attention to what is being said. Adopting a similar body posture, nodding and establishing eye contact are ways to show that you are really “in” the conversation …

Engage in brainstorming sessions, where active listening plays a pivotal role in fostering a collaborative atmosphere. Contribute your ideas while attentively absorbing those of others. In casual conversations, strive for a balanced exchange—share your thoughts and feelings, all the while genuinely listening to the opinions and experiences of others. Embrace external sources of learning like TED talks. Actively listen by taking notes and asking reflective questions. This practice not only enriches your understanding but also enhances your ability to integrate new ideas into your own thinking.

When others speak. Focus on what they say. Practice not thinking about what you say shall yourself/ your own reply. Be genuinly interrested in what they have to say, and practie being open. Patiene is a key. Let people speak. You may also help the speaker pinpoint their points by asking: "what do you want to say?", if they start to talk about other things, or you dont really get their point.

I like to use acronyms so when listening try adding S.A.L.T. This easy to remember term will provide you with intention to listen to the speaker. Seek to understand Assess the situation Listen with Empathy Tell the Truth

Esto hay que practicarlo con todas las personas por igual sin importar su jerarquía: -hacer contacto visual y darle la confianza y el espacio para que la otra persona hable. -no interrumpir a cada rato, escucha lo que te están diciendo y analiza. - no emitas juicios ni hagas conclusiones, siempre hay dos partes en una historia. -no impongas tu opinión sin preguntar antes. -has preguntas de lo que te dijeron para que estes seguro/a de que lo que entendiste es lo que te dijeron.

Mindfulness can greatly improve focus and presence in conversations. If your mind is wandering you can bring yourself back to the present, even in just a minute's time. -Take a deep breath to center yourself. -Choose one element around you to focus on: a scent, a pattern, or the floor beneath your feet. -Immerse yourself in this focal point, noticing its details and sensations. -Let go of your distractions and allow yourself to be fully present. -Notice how your mind clears, making it easier to focus on your listener Incorporate this brief practice into your daily routine to stay centered and engaged. By doing so, you can sharpen your ability to be fully present and attentive in conversations, even amidst the busiest of work-life chaos.

Develop the practice of reflecting, rephrasing, or summarizing what you have heard before contributing your own ideas or suggestions. Remember to refrain from rebutting or contradicting what you have heard until you have had the opportunity to rephrase and understand it fully. Prioritize establishing common ground and delving deeply into it before considering any tangential or divergent discussions.

One simple thing I have found helpful to practice active listening is to make sure I set the clear intention to listen actively right before entering into a critical conversation. This is a high stakes conversation that runs the risk of becoming emotionally triggering. Setting this intention will help you emotionally regulate and stay focussed on listening so that you can have a productive critical conversation with the best outcomes for all parties.

Equally important is self-reflection, examining your listening behavior and habits. Consider factors such as attention, empathy, and respect. Are you minimizing distractions and interruptions? Are you asking questions that demonstrate your engagement? Reflecting on these aspects can offer insights into areas for improvement. Setting specific goals further enhances your active listening journey. Whether it's listening more than you speak, asking more open-ended questions, or giving increased praise and recognition, having clear objectives provides direction. Track your progress using tools like a journal, checklist, or app to celebrate achievements and identify areas where adjustments may be needed.

A handy rule of thumb: If you are 'listening' and thinking about how you are going to respond, then you aren't actively listening. Listen deeply to the whole person. You might then respond by clarifying what you heard as important to them, how they feel, what they value or what their request is. The richness and depth of the conversation that follows is a terrific barometer.

Dinlemeyi toplum olarak bilmiyoruz. Dinlerken kendi zihnimizde takılı kalıp söylemek istedigimize odaklanıyoruz Aktif dinlemek tabi evrensel dinlemek ne duyuyorum demek. Yargısız, kendi zihin hijyene takılmadan jarsi tarafa odaklanarak sadece orda olmak. Kendi söyleyeceğin şeye odaklanarak dinleyebilme yetisidir Öğrenilebilir, gelistirilebilinir. Kişi farkındalığını öne aldığında ben ne duyuyorum diyerek dinlediğimde ve o ana dikkat verdiğinde bu mümkündür.

In my experience, a good sign of active listening is when the person you are speaking with expresses a sense of validation. This can be done verbally (ex 'that's exactly what I'm saying') or non verbally. This usually becomes evident when the person continue to go deeper and deeper in the conversation, or even shows vulnerability. If the validation can grow into empowerment, where for example the person feels more confident or certain about their decision, the art of active listening was a success!

Trata de no interrumpir cuando las personas te están compartiendo algo, podemos fácilmente caer en la tentación “para que no se nos pase” o por el rush de lo cotidiano. Intenta mejor escribir alguna palabra clave si tienes a la mano una pluma para que no se te vaya la idea y compártelo ya que la persona haya terminado de exponer sus puntos

The real treasure isn't a score on a test, but the quality of your connections. Notice how your colleagues and loved ones respond to your attentiveness. Do they share more openly? Do their faces light up when you engage them in conversation? Do they seek your insights more often? These are the true testaments to your growing superpower.

Be able to quote back to someone and clarify what they have said to you. Allow a headspace for their words in your own mind, and a pause to genuinely reflect back with their voice still in your reply.

The main indicator is whether the speaker have the opportunity to put forward their message. If people like to talk to you, and people often come to talk with you, these are also signs your are a good listener. And good listeners do prative ative listening.

After every MEETING you Can ask yourself “What new information did I gather from this meeting?” If you do not use active listening In your conversation - you might miss an opportunity for you or the Company to become more successful👌

Remember active listening involves fully concentrating, understanding, responding, and remembering what someone is saying. Practice does improve the skills so take every opportunity to master the skill.

Focused Attention and Non-Verbal Cues: - Use active listening to show appreciation for colleagues' ideas by giving them focused attention. Maintain eye contact, nod in agreement, and use positive non-verbal cues to convey your genuine interest. Demonstrating through body language that you are fully engaged enhances the perception of appreciation. Reflective Responses and Clarifying Questions: - Express appreciation for colleagues' ideas through reflective responses and clarifying questions. Paraphrase their thoughts to show you've understood and ask follow-up questions for deeper insights. This not only confirms your appreciation for their contributions but also fosters a more meaningful and collaborative dialogue.

Active listening is rooted in presence. The challenge often lies in becoming completely absorbed in the other person. In such situations, being present becomes difficult, and we may feel quite fatigued after the session. Here, I recommend an exercise I learned during my mindfulness teacher training called the 50-50 principle. It encourages you to direct your attention 50% towards the person and 50% towards yourself. To be connected yo yourself, you can regularly check how is your body, if you can feel the contact with the chair or tensions in your shoulders.

Consider active listening as a dance. Each step, each turn, is a move towards deeper understanding and connection. Be like water, adapting and flowing with the conversation's rhythm. Become a catalyst for unearthing hidden gems of wisdom and insight.

Occasions may arise when it becomes challenging to maintain focus and actively engage in active listening, particularly when experiencing fatigue or suboptimal emotional well-being. In such instances, it is advisable to gracefully excuse oneself from participating in significant discussions. It is more prudent to rejoin the conversation once you have regained a state of mental and emotional readiness.

Being fully present is key to active listening. Here's a formula you can use: - be conscious of your own breath - notice thoughts and emotions and continually bring your mind back to the conversation - be fully present without judgement or reaction - practice self compassion

Listen to understand and not to reply. Body posture and eye contact towards the other person is important. There shouldn't be any distraction when in conversation. Putting the handphone away and not having the television on. Clarifying things that you aren't clear about tells the other person that you are listening

The key word here is “active”. Put your phone down. Close your computer. Maintain eye contact. Ask open ended questions when appropriate- and then SHUT up and listen to the response. Don’t offer advice or express opinions unless solicited. Don’t judge. Create a psychological “safe” zone Don’t react Don’t engage in dramatic facial expressions Allow the person to talk.. even if their thoughts are disjointed and a little rambling Don’t interrupt

In my experience paying attention to the speaker is the key to everything, actively listening to the person focuses you, helps you remember the main ideas and helps you see something that is important, body language is a complement of communication that is very important. It is an accumulation of actions that improve our daily activity.

Active listening can be demonstrated by using the skill of acknowledging. When the other person finishes sharing their thoughts or ideas, making a comment about the value of what they've shared such as "thank you for sharing that insight - you raise an excellent point" or "that information is very helpful and something we hadn't yet considered". You can take acknowledging deeper by adding in something you know about the speaker that is related to what they've shared. For example, "I have noticed that you consistently come up with creative solutions"...because active listening isn't just about listening in one moment in time but consistently over time.