How to listen and understand people correctly? How to get involved in the conversation? In order to be able to speak, you must first learn to listen. After all, it's no secret that it's more pleasant to communicate with a person who hears and understands you.
First you need to learn how to maintain a dialogue. There are two types of listening: active and passive. Active listening means full attention to the topic of the dialogue and to the feelings of the interlocutor. Therefore, make sure that some kind of feedback goes from you to your companion, a reaction to the information that he presents to you. Listen to every word said by the interlocutor.
In this case, you need to react not only to the topic of the conversation, but also to the feelings that your interlocutor expresses during the conversation. Even when both of you are silent, you need to show with your nods, gestures, facial expressions that you are involved in the conversation and fully share your partner's emotions. Try to make sure that your body is relaxed, and the posture when standing is open, avoid crossing your arms and legs, do not hide your eyes from the interlocutor.
You can, to some extent, repeat the pose of the interlocutor. This will position him even more in your direction and he will sincerely trust you. All this will help your interlocutor feel more comfortable and open. If you want to clarify something, use leading and clarifying questions that begin with "how", "how" and others.
In the case when you need to make sure that you understood the interlocutor correctly, use “paraphrase” - paraphrase what you heard earlier and clarify whether this is so.
In turn, passive listening is used in cases when your interlocutor is very excited or, on the contrary, upset about something, and he needs to speak out. In such cases, it is better to be silent and listen. Make it clear that he is not alone, that you are there and are ready to listen to him and support him. The so-called “uh-huh-reactions” work best at such moments.
All people want to be heard and understood. Everyone wants to share their feelings and experiences with someone. Everyone is looking for approval from others. Therefore, the main task in any communication is to hear, understand what feelings your interlocutor is trying to convey to you, empathize with him and give the support he is counting on, and in turn give the interlocutor a better understanding of himself.
