Five Ways to Become a Better Listener

By Heidi Sadecky, MA,PCC – Executive Coach & Director, Townsend Leadership Program

One of the most critical skills you can develop in life and leadership is to gain an understanding of active listening.

Active listening is the practice of fully focusing on what the other person is saying, understanding their message, validating their feelings, and responding appropriately. Although it makes a lot of sense, this is often easier said than done. You likely have many irons in the fire and this type of communication requires your full attention. The time investment will pay off and often will save many hours wasted due to miscommunication. 

Active Listening is a crucial skill for building trust, creating rapport, and fostering a positive work culture. I encourage you to learn how and give this a try in the very next conversation you have. 

Here are some tips to help you improve your active listening skills:

Be Present: Active listening requires your full attention. When engaging in a conversation, avoid distractions like your phone or computer. Turn off any notifications that could divert your attention away from the conversation. Additionally, be mindful of your body language. Maintain eye contact, lean forward, and nod your head to show that you are actively listening.

Listen to Understand, not to Respond: Often, when we are engaged in a conversation, we are too focused on responding rather than understanding. To be an active listener, make sure that you are fully engaged in the conversation and trying to understand the other person's point of view. Ask clarifying questions to ensure that you fully comprehend their message.

Empathize: Active listening is not just about hearing the words that someone is saying, but also understanding their emotions and perspective. Empathize with the speaker by acknowledging their feelings and demonstrating that you care about their concerns.

Resist the Temptation to Interrupt: Interrupting someone is a surefire way to derail a conversation and make the other person feel undervalued. Even if you have a point to make, wait until the speaker has finished their thought before responding.
Summarize and Reflect: To demonstrate that you have understood the speaker's message, summarize what they have said in your own words. Reflect on their message and offer your thoughts in a respectful manner.

So much time is wasted in the workplace when we have team members that need to be heard and acknowledged. Active listening is a powerful skill that can enhance your leadership effectiveness, improve communication, build stronger relationships, reduce conflict, and save time. Try practicing this skill and let me know what happens. 

Heidi Sadecky is a highly-trained executive coach with over 30 years of combined corporate and coaching experience. She helps her clients operate at a higher level, overcome workplace challenges and achieve measurable results.

She is an in-demand facilitator of the only Townsend Leadership Program, a unique and highly effective group coaching program located in the North East United States. Her newest leadership development program, E4 (Equip. Explore. Experience. Excel.) launched in the spring of 2023. Invite Heidi to speak to your group, or learn about her upcoming programs here.