How can you improve your active listening skills with partners?

1 Assess your own style

Before you can improve your active listening skills, you need to know your own communication style and preferences. How do you like to receive and process information? Do you prefer verbal or written communication? Do you tend to interrupt or wait for your turn? Do you focus on details or big picture? Knowing your own style can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses as an active listener, as well as how you can adapt to different partners.

2 Prepare for the conversation

Active listening requires focus and concentration, so you need to prepare for the conversation beforehand. Make sure you have a clear purpose and agenda for the conversation, and do some research on your partner if possible. Choose a suitable time and place for the conversation, and minimize any distractions or interruptions. Also, prepare some open-ended questions that can help you explore your partner's needs, expectations, and perspectives.

3 Listen with curiosity and empathy

During the conversation, listen with curiosity and empathy. This means being genuinely interested in what your partner has to say, and trying to understand their emotions and motivations. To show your curiosity and empathy, you can use verbal and non-verbal cues, such as nodding, eye contact, smiling, and paraphrasing. You can also ask follow-up questions that can help you clarify or confirm what you heard, or invite your partner to share more.

4 Avoid common barriers

Active listening can be challenging, especially when you encounter some common barriers, such as distractions, assumptions, biases, or emotions. To avoid these barriers, you need to be aware of them and take steps to overcome them. For example, you can turn off your phone, laptop, or other devices that can distract you from the conversation. You can also check your assumptions and biases, and ask your partner for feedback or confirmation. Moreover, you can manage your emotions, and avoid reacting defensively or aggressively if you disagree or feel frustrated.

5 Provide feedback and action steps

Active listening is not only about listening, but also about responding and taking action. At the end of the conversation, you need to provide feedback and action steps to your partner. You can summarize the main points and key takeaways of the conversation, and express your appreciation and gratitude for your partner's time and input. You can also suggest some action steps that can help you move forward with the partnership, and agree on the next steps and follow-up.

6 Practice and improve

Active listening is a skill that can be improved with practice and feedback. You can practice your active listening skills with different partners, and ask them for feedback on how you did. You can also seek opportunities to learn from other active listeners, such as mentors, coaches, or peers. By practicing and improving your active listening skills, you can enhance your partnerships and achieve better outcomes.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?