10 SKILLS FOR ACTIVE LISTENING Skill Behavior Do Avoid Attending, Provide verbal or Face the speaker and | Looking around the acknowledging | nonverbal awareness | maintain eye contact, | room or fidgeting. of the other person. nod, etc. Restating Respond to the Repeat the phrase you | Changing the subject. person's basic verbal | would like clarified. message. Reflecting Reflect perceptions of | Listen for what isnot | Discounting or content thar are heard | said. Respond with downplaying the or perceived through | phrases such as, “So speaker's feelings. cues. you feel that...” Interpreting Offer a tentative Keep an open mind Assuming you know interpretation about about what you are what the speaker is the person’s feelings, | heating; try to picture | trying to communicate desires, or meaning. —_| what the speaker is without listening. saying. Summarizing, | Bring together feelings | Repeat back what Elaborating on what synthesizing and experiences to you heard briefly but | the speaker is saying. provide a focus. accurately; paraphrase. Probing Question the speaker | Wait forthe speaker to | Interrogating or in a supportive way ‘to request more pause to ask clarifying | challenging the questions; try speaker. information or clear up | “dangling” or open- any confusion. ended questions. Giving feedback | Share perceptions of _ | Wait three seconds, Interrupting or the person’s ideas or and then respond with | offering solutions; feelings, disclosing phrases such as: preaching or teaching. sep reneperonsl “So you feel that...”, or information. “Lfelt that way when...”. Supporting Show warmth and Pay attention to what | Judging the speaker caring in one’s own isn’t said—to feelings, | or rehearsing your individual way. facial expressions, tesponse in your gestures, posture, and | head while they are other nonverbal cues. | speaking. Checking Find out if Check the accuracy Making assumptions perceptions interpretations and of your perceptions or jumping to perceptions are valid | with phrases suchas, | conclusions. and accurate, “[ think that you are saying...” Being quiet Give the persontime —_ | Try to understand Filling pauses; instead, to think as wellasto | what the speaker let the speaker set the talk. is feeling and have pace. empathy forthe speaker. www.NCLEXQuiz.com