What type of listening skills

Discover why good listening skills are vital in the workplace, along with how to build good listening habits while avoiding bad ones.

Listening within the work context is the process by which you gain an understanding of the needs, demands, and preferences of your stakeholders through direct interaction. A stakeholder could be anyone from your boss, a client, customer, co-worker, subordinate, upper management, board member, interviewer, or job candidate.

There are two components to active listening in the workplace: attention and reflection. In addition to these nonverbal cues, you must also allow the speaker to finish their thought in its entirety. These are all cues that you're focused on what the speaker is saying. Reflection is the repeating and paraphrasing of what the speaker has said to show that you truly understand what they're telling you.

Good listeners always strive to fully understand what others want to communicate, particularly when the statement lacks clarity. Listening demands the attempt to decode and interpret verbal messages and nonverbal cues , like tone of voice, facial expressions, and physical posture. Active listeners also show their curiosity by asking questions. Do this, and you will make a great impression.

Through body language and other cues, good listeners subtly communicate to the speaker that they're listening. Additionally, they encourage and welcome the thoughts, opinions, and feelings of others. One way to demonstrate active listening is to allow the interviewer to complete each question and statement before responding. Do not interrupt and be sure that your response genuinely answers the question. Combative listening The goal: listening to win! Appreciative listening The goal: listening to indulge yourself.

Types of listening to achieve specific business outcomes Once we get beyond meeting our own needs, we move into this second group of listening skills.

Open listening The goal: listening to explore opportunities. Analytical listening The goal: listening to evaluate opportunities and take action. Active listening The goal: listening to build the relationship.

Empathetic listening The goal: listening to embrace the emotion. Compassionate listening The goal: listening with the intention to help.

Types of listening skills in summary Listening skills are critical for business success. There are many types, each should be used with a clear intent and at the appropriate time depending on your goal: Combative listening: to win Appreciative listening: to indulge yourself Open listening: to explore opportunities Analytical listening: to evaluate opportunities and take action Active listening: to build the relationship Empathetic listening: to embrace the emotion Compassionate listening: with the intention to help For more on listening skills, take a look at the Chinese character for listening.

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email. Copy link. Copy Copied. Powered by Social Snap. How to Stand Out as a Career Nomad. Roger K.

Allen, Deep Listening. Skip to main content. Apply Program Guide. Benefits of Being a Good Listener There are numerous benefits associated with being a good listener. Good listeners are more likable.

Individuals with strong listening skills are present in the conversation. People who listen with focus are often perceived as more likable. Good listeners build stronger relationships. Communication is not a one-way street. This helps reduce misunderstandings and builds stronger relationships.

Good listeners have a clearer understanding of the topics being discussed. They pay attention to both verbal and nonverbal cues and ask for clarification when needed. Learn more about the key communication skills you need to be a more effective communicator.

Our eBooks are ideal for anyone who wants to learn about or develop their interpersonal skills and are full of easy-to-follow, practical information. Although usually less important or useful in interpersonal relationships there are other types of listening, these include:.

Appreciative listening is listening for enjoyment. A good example is listening to music, especially as a way to relax. See our page: Music Therapy for more about using music as a relaxation therapy.

When trying to build rapport with others we can engage in a type of listening that encourages the other person to trust and like us. A salesman, for example, may make an effort to listen carefully to what you are saying as a way to promote trust and potentially make a sale. This type of listening is common in situations of negotiation. See: Building Rapport and Negotiation Skills for more information.

This is a more negative type of listening, it implies that the listener is somehow biased to what they are hearing. Bias can be based on preconceived ideas or emotionally difficult communications. Selective listening is a sign of failing communication — you cannot hope to understand if you have filtered out some of the message and may reinforce or strengthen your bias for future communications.

See also: What is Charisma? Assertiveness Effective Speaking Barriers to Communication. Search SkillsYouNeed:. We'll never share your email address and you can unsubscribe at any time. Types of Listening See also: Active Listening.