Active listening is a communication technique which consists of listen carefully to the person you are talking toIt implies being open and willing to listen, without interrupting, showing interest and rephrasing to confirm understanding. It implies a posture of openness, of ...empathy and non-judgement.
Active listening encourages mutual understanding and enhances the quality of exchanges.
This means :
- Concentrate fully on what is being said
- Showing signs of attention (eye contact, nodding, rephrasing)
- Asking relevant questions
It's a voluntary process that goes well beyond hearing: it's about really understanding the message expressed, including its emotional dimension.
Why is this a key skill?
Active listening is essential for :
- Creating a climate of trust and mutual respect
- Preventing misunderstandings and defusing tensions
- Encouraging cooperation and commitment within teams
- Improving customer and user satisfaction
Examples
- Rephrase what a colleague has said to confirm understanding
- Ask open-ended questions to explore a subject in greater depth
Listening means allowing the other person to exist.
Jacques Salomé
How can we develop it?
- Systematic reformulation in meetings and interviews
- Learning to ask open-ended questions
- Practising silence without interrupting
- Observe non-verbal signals (gaze, posture, tone)
- Participate in feedback or coaching exercises
🔁 Associated skills
Self-assessment
✅ I let the others finish their sentences.
✅ I show that I am listening with visual cues (nodding, looking, etc.).
✅ I'm rephrasing to clarify what I heard.
✅ I refrain from judging or giving immediate advice.
✅ I pay attention to the emotions expressed.
Less than 4 positive responses? Work on your listening posture.
Read also
5 tips for practising active listening
To remember
Active listening is a full attention to otherswhich makes it possible to better understand the people you are dealing withto promote cooperation and build trusting relationships. It's a powerful tool for any human-centred professional approach.