““ Active Listening As a skill, active listening draws on many of the abilities you’ve developed so far, from your relaxation techniques to body language to conversation skills. Here are four ways to be a good listener: 1. Instead of thinking ahead or worrying about what you’ll say next, focus on what the other person is saying right now. 2. Use positive body language to encourage the other person (maintain eye contact, smile, nod). 3. Occasionally restate the point the other person is making in another way (don’t merely parrot their words), so that he or she knows you understand and are paying attention. Ask for and offer examples to support what is being said. 4. Look for hints of something that the person seems truly interested or involved in. Seize the moment with a follow-up question such as “Why do you say that?” or, “What happened then?” 5. Use self-awareness and relaxation techniques both to improve your ability to focus and to develop your listening ability.””
