How can active listening help you identify the root cause of a conflict and find a win-win solution?

Active listening skills include: Using nonverbal cues that show understanding such as nodding, eye contact, and leaning forward Brief verbal affirmations like “I see,” “I know,” “Sure,” “Thank you,” or “I understand” Building trust and establishing rapport by demonstrating concern Asking open-ended questions. and patiently waiting to disclose your opinion Paraphrasing, Summarizing, Reflecting, Clarifying and Confirming - to show understanding.

What I have found to be at the heart of effective listening is self-regulation. Self- regulation is the foundation for what I call “radical listening.” Radical listening is the ability to stay curious and open when every bone in your body screams to be understood, and when every fiber of your being just wants to be right. My advice is always “regulation before resolution.” The theory is easy to grasp. The practice is more difficult.

The thing I've found in real communication is the level of emotional intelligence(EI). EI is the capacity to regulate your own emotions while being mindful of the emotional temperature of the atmosphere. As this article explains, active listening requires so much more than just hearing words and responding. It involves paying attention to the emotional posture of the individual, and mandates closed mouth, open ears, and hearing how they say what they say. Most listen with pre-planned responses, resulting in emotional dialogue which increases the potential for miscommunication, misunderstanding, and emotional distress. Active listening connected to high EI, leads to real dialogue and resolutions. This is critical to relationship success.

In my opinion, if you want to be a better listener, here are a few tips: Pay attention to the speaker's body language and facial expressions. Ask clarifying questions to make sure you understand what the speaker is saying. Reflect back what the speaker has said to show that you're following along. Don't interrupt the speaker. Be patient and allow the speaker to finish their thoughts.

Active Listening requires a mindset of curiosity to understand. As Timothy Galleway says "Potential = Performance - Interference." Maximum Interference is from internal dialogue emerging from one's own mental models which increases the need to react (& not necessarily in a sharp way). Two important aspects to work on this are; 1. Observing yourself to see am I listening to confirm & react based in what I already know about it? 2. Watching yourself to see if you have made any "inferences" of what the person has said.

[continued] --To increase active listening: -Have heathy enough bonding with others so you're not totally dependent on the other person and their opinion, as well as boundaries that help you stay "distantly engaged" to the person you're listening to. -Practice, practice, practice on your kids, friends, spouse, etc. -Get coaching and or mentoring to get breakthroughs and guidance on doing this consistently.

Absolutely! ?? From my experience, I can vouch that active listening is the key to building bridges of understanding, leading to mutual respect and win-win solutions. You see, conflicts are often not caused by what people say, but by what they feel or want. By listening actively, you can discover the hidden emotions, values, and motivations that are influencing the behavior and communication of the other person. It's like peeling back the layers to get to the heart of the matter! When I faced conflicts, I learned that active listening helped me empathize with the other person's situation, acknowledge their feelings, and validate their concerns.

Active listening helps you get to the heart of the matter. And the only way to truly reach a win-win is to understand all the elements of both sides. Only then can you find a resolution that you can call a win-win. Active listening, when practiced on both sides, ensures both parties feel heard, understood, and valued. Oftentimes, during any kind of conflict, what people need most is to feel understood. Active listening supports this need.

When you actively listen, you can pinpoint areas of agreement, shared goals, and mutual benefits that form the foundation of a collaborative solution. It's like discovering a treasure trove of opportunities! ?? It's like opening the door to honest and constructive communication! ?? The magic lies in the positive and constructive dialogue that active listening creates. It paves the way for a satisfactory and sustainable outcome that leaves everyone feeling heard and valued. It's like a symphony of harmony and understanding! ?? So, if you ever find yourself in a conflict, remember the power of active listening.

Adding a cherry on top, I'd say active listening is also about being fully present in the moment. It's like giving the gift of your undivided attention! ?? Another fantastic skill is being patient and allowing the speaker to express themselves fully. Sometimes, the real gems of understanding come when we give others the space to share their thoughts and feelings. It's like savoring each word as it unfolds! ?? Oh, and here's a sprinkle of positivity! A warm and encouraging tone can create an atmosphere of trust and comfort. It's like a cozy blanket of support! ?? And remember, practice makes perfect!

Improving your active listening skills is like embarking on a journey of self-discovery! ?? To level up, start by being genuinely curious and open-minded. Patience and respect are essential companions on this journey. As you walk this path, keep your focus sharp and your attention unwavering. It's like polishing a gem of connection! ? Oh, and here's a secret ingredient: honesty and constructive feedback! Embrace them, and you'll see your listening skills flourish! ?? As you navigate this journey, don't forget to express your own perspective clearly and respectfully. And the best part? Your relationships will bloom, your performance will soar, and work satisfaction will be a joyful melody! ????

The beauty of having an active listening skill is that one may use it "proactively" to eliminate any situation that could lead to a conflict. However, when in a conflict, this is also a great "reactive" skill that can be put to use to try and reach a resolution.

Since the context is conflict, I believe that the intent with which one enters conflict greatly affects how the discussion will evolve. If the Intent is to convince (A common word I hear while dealing with corporate leaders), efforts will be more towards explaining one point of view. On the contrary, if the intent is to find a solution while keeping the bigger picture in mind the chances of finding the third solution are higher.

Amicable solution with a logical conclusion! 1. Active listening & understanding 2. Capturing information 3. Brainstorming 4. Evaluation 5. Negotiation & Compromise 6. Formalising 8. Appreciation and Respect

If you haven't tried it before, take notes during a conflict. Listen to the other party and write down what you're hearing. Don't interrupt. Once they've had the opportunity to air their thoughts or grievances, confirm that they've shared everything on their mind. This is your opportunity to restate or paraphrase what you heard based on your notes. Do this and then ask whether you've captured all of the important elements. If yes, this will greatly help with clarity in crafting a solution. You might be surprised at how effective this tool can be in helping to diffuse the situation.