--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The Physical Language of Listening Active…" description: "\"“The Physical Language of Listening Active listening is a physical process which transcends simply hearing. Your body language speaks on your behalf as..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15a/susan-c-young-156_active-listening_the-physical-language-of-listening-activ_320799.jpg" --- # The Physical Language of Listening Active listening is a… ![“The Physical Language of Listening Active listening is a physical process which transcends simply hearing. Your body language speaks on your behalf as to whether you are fully present and engaged . . . • Make eye contact. • Nod your head; confirm. • Use your eyebrows and expressions of emotions to…” quote by Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15a/susan-c-young-156_active-listening_the-physical-language-of-listening-activ_320799.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15a/susan-c-young-156_active-listening_the-physical-language-of-listening-activ_320799.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15a/susan-c-young-156_active-listening_the-physical-language-of-listening-activ_320799.jpg) > ““The Physical Language of Listening Active listening is a physical process which transcends simply hearing. Your body language speaks on your behalf as to whether you are fully present and engaged . . . • Make eye contact. • Nod your head; confirm. • Use your eyebrows and expressions of emotions to show that you're paying attention. • Lean forward. • Listen patiently to demonstrate respect and sensitivity. • Open your physical presence to encourage them to continue.”” [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Active listening is a bodily practice that shows presence and respect through eye contact, nodding, facial expression, and posture. **In simple terms:** Listening uses body language to show you’re engaged. Key Takeaway Practice physical cues to improve listening. Themes communication empathy presence Mood thoughtful encouraging Type practical instructional When to use this quote - meetings - counseling sessions - teaching - customer service Key Concepts nonverbal cues mindfulness interpersonal skills Questions to Reflect On - Which nonverbal signals work best for you? - How can you adapt listening across cultures? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on physical cues may ignore cultural differences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Active Listening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/active-listening-2/) [Active-listening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/active-listening/) [Body language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/body-language/) [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Communication skills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication-skills/) [Customer-service-quotes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/customer-service-quotes/) [Eye contact](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eye-contact/) [Fitness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fitness/) [Healthy-conversation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/healthy-conversation/) [Listening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/listening/) [Listening Active](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/listening-active-278930/) [Listening Physical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/listening-physical-3023722/) [Motivational-speaker-susan-young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivational-speaker-susan-young/) [Paying Attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paying-attention/) [Physical Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/physical-language-3023723/) [Physical Presence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/physical-presence-1186650/) [Positive-first-impression-quotes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positive-first-impression-quotes/) [Quotes-by-susan-c-young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quotes-by-susan-c-young/) [Relationship quotes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relationship-quotes/) [Susanspeaks-com](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/susanspeaks-com/) ## Related quotes > [“Listening is one thing; however, ACTIVE listening is quite another. The first is a passive act which does not require great involvement, whereas, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/listening-is-one-thing-however-active-listening-is-quite-another-the/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [“Active listening requires being fully present and engaged in the moment.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/active-listening-requires-being-fully-present-and-engaged-in-the/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [“Now let’s look at the flip side. When a diligent and caring person receives your complaint, they have the power to turn a challenge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/now-let-s-look-at-the-flip-side-when-a-diligent-and-caring-person/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [“While active listening is crucial for optimal communication, we are faced with a dilemma which can perplex even the sincerest and engaged of individuals.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/while-active-listening-is-crucial-for-optimal-communication-we-are/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [“Active listening is not only a matter of making yourself available to hear someone talk, but it is showing the sender, physically, that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/active-listening-is-not-only-a-matter-of-making-yourself-available-to/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [“This method enabled me to expand my territory and create a strong network of loyal customers for referrals and repeat business. Make active listening…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/this-method-enabled-me-to-expand-my-territory-and-create-a-strong/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [“Active listening is key to all healthy and effective communication, however, it doesn't necessarily come easily.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/active-listening-is-key-to-all-healthy-and-effective-communication/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [“Active listening is the ultimate "Golden Rule" for sensational customer service. Just as the important people in your life will feel more valued and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/active-listening-is-the-ultimate-golden-rule-for-sensational-customer/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [“ASK YOURSELF: How can you utilize active listening to provide sensational customer service? How will this help resolve complaints from unhappy customers? • Give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/ask-yourself-how-can-you-utilize-active-listening-to-provide/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [“By your practice of active listening, everyone involved benefits because you . . . • are more engaged and engaging; • demonstrate that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/by-your-practice-of-active-listening-everyone-involved-benefits/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [“Active listening is one of the best services a company can provide.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/active-listening-is-one-of-the-best-services-a-company-can-provide/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [“When you become an actively engaged listener, you will develop the mindful awareness that active listening involves multiple layers and distinct levels.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/when-you-become-an-actively-engaged-listener-you-will-develop-the/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [“Millennials (aka Generation Y) are great at social media (Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn, Twitter,Tumblr, Instagram, Flickr, Snapchat, Pinterest, YouTube, Vimeo, and Periscope) but lack time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramesh-lohia/millennials-aka-generation-y-are-great-at-social-media-facebook/) [Ramesh Lohia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramesh-lohia/) > [“He was practicing active listening.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-jane-anders/he-was-practicing-active-listening/) [Charlie Jane Anders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-jane-anders/) > [Painting is an essentially concrete art and can only consist of the representation of real and existing things. It is a completely physical language,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustave-courbet/painting-is-an-essentially-concrete-art-and-can-only-consist-of-the/) [Gustave Courbet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustave-courbet/) ## More by Susan C. 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Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [“In years gone by, particularly in the East and the South, ladies would attend charm school to learn how to elegantly stand, sit, dance,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/in-years-gone-by-particularly-in-the-east-and-the-south-ladies-would/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [“5 Tips for Mirroring Others 1. Body language. When they smile, you smile. When they lean back in their chair, you lean back in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/5-tips-for-mirroring-others-1-body-language-when-they-smile-you-smile/) [Susan C. 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Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [“Be the Inviter “When I began my speaking career, I designed and delivered motivational programs for children teaching them success skills for life. Before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/be-the-inviter-when-i-began-my-speaking-career-i-designed-and/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [“Employee Engagement “Employee Engagement” has become a very hot topic in recent years. The escalating statistics for disengagement are alarming. In 2015, the Gallup…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/employee-engagement-employee-engagement-has-become-a-very-hot-topic/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [“To remember people’s names, use rhyming, rhythm, adjectives, and alliteration—Use rhyming (trim Kim), rhythm (Sally sells seashells), adjectives (kind Kevin), and alliteration (Mike likes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/to-remember-people-s-names-use-rhyming-rhythm-adjectives-and/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [“A smile is one of the most powerful and important body language cues we share with others—and as such a heartfelt emotion, it's impossible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/a-smile-is-one-of-the-most-powerful-and-important-body-language-cues/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) [Explore all 1,096 Susan C. Young quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) ## More Active-listening quotes > [“The process of attentive listening makes the other person feel important, valued, and heard. For Nick, listening was, and still is, love. I've never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/the-process-of-attentive-listening-makes-the-other-person-feel/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [“To Become an Attentive Listener . . . • Observe a person’s physical presence to see how their body language aligns with their message.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/to-become-an-attentive-listener-observe-a-person-s-physical-presence/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [“Being Present Years ago, I attended a conference where the keynote speaker encouraged everyone to BE HERE NOW! It grabbed people's attention and reminded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/being-present-years-ago-i-attended-a-conference-where-the-keynote/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [“Become keenly aware of these three layers to discover whether you're listening with interest and intent for excellent communication and understanding—or are you unintentionally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/become-keenly-aware-of-these-three-layers-to-discover-whether-you-re/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [“He was practicing active listening.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-jane-anders/he-was-practicing-active-listening/) [Charlie Jane Anders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-jane-anders/) > [“If you have ever experienced this type of unprofessional treatment, I doubt you would even consider giving them business in the future. Interrupting, ignoring,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/if-you-have-ever-experienced-this-type-of-unprofessional-treatment-i/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [“Through the years, I have heard that the average person speaks at about 150-160 words per minute, but can listen at a rate of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/through-the-years-i-have-heard-that-the-average-person-speaks-at/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [“My success with customers on the telephone wasn’t by using pushy sales methods, but by engaging people in meaningful conversations which could lead to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/my-success-with-customers-on-the-telephone-wasn-t-by-using-pushy/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [“When you become an actively engaged listener, you will develop the mindful awareness that active listening involves multiple layers and distinct levels.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/when-you-become-an-actively-engaged-listener-you-will-develop-the/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [“Don't just listen with your two ears only. Listen attentively. Listen with every fiber of your being!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/assegid-habtewold/don-t-just-listen-with-your-two-ears-only-listen-attentively-listen/) [Assegid Habtewold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/assegid-habtewold/) > [“Active listening is one of the best services a company can provide.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/active-listening-is-one-of-the-best-services-a-company-can-provide/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [“Listening is one of the finest ways to demonstrate our love for another human being. How many marriages could be saved, friendships healed, careers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/listening-is-one-of-the-finest-ways-to-demonstrate-our-love-for/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [“14 Ways to Become an Incredible Listener 1. Be present and provide your undivided attention. 2. Seek first to understand, then to be understood.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/14-ways-to-become-an-incredible-listener-1-be-present-and-provide/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [“If the skill of participatory listening came effortlessly and easy for everyone, there would not be so many misunderstandings, communication breakdowns, irritations, and frustrations.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/if-the-skill-of-participatory-listening-came-effortlessly-and-easy/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [“By your practice of active listening, everyone involved benefits because you . . . • are more engaged and engaging; • demonstrate that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/by-your-practice-of-active-listening-everyone-involved-benefits/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) [Browse all 39 Active-listening quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/active-listening/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The Physical Language of Listening Active listening is a physical process which transcends simply hearing. Your body language speaks on your behalf as to whether you are fully present and engaged . . . •\tMake eye contact. •\tNod your head; confirm. •\tUse your eyebrows and expressions of emotions to show that you're paying attention. •\tLean forward. •\tListen patiently to demonstrate respect and sensitivity. •\tOpen your physical presence to encourage them to continue.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Susan C. 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