Kindness is what holds our relationships with other people together. It comes in many forms, such as empathy, gratitude, service, and words of compassion. However, another key element that you shouldn’t overlook is active listening.
Active listening means just that! It means you are truly paying attention to what the other person is saying. It means that you are not just listening so that you can be ready to make a reply. You are actively listening so that you can understand everything they are trying to say to you.
Truly listening to someone is a huge sign of respect and shows that you value them. It also allows you to offer more thoughtful and meaningful support.
Active listening is a beautiful way to demonstrate care and empathy. It can have a profound impact on your relationships. Here is how you can be an active listener:
Give Your Full Attention
When someone speaks to you, displaying kindness means showing that you’re truly listening. Give your undivided attention to the speaker and maintain eye contact. Be attentive to their words, emotions, and feelings.
Active listening goes beyond simply hearing words. It involves understanding emotions, interpreting body language, and grasping the underlying message conveyed. It requires being completely present in the moment.
Listen without passing judgment and steer clear of distractions, like checking your phone or scanning the surroundings.
Avoid Interrupting the Person Speaking
Avoid interrupting or finishing the other person’s sentences for them. If you interrupt you are conveying a lack of interest and diminish the importance of their words. Allowing them to speak without interruption demonstrates your care and consideration for what they have to say.
Similarly, it’s important to resist the urge to provide advice or solutions unless they explicitly seek it. Most times, individuals simply need to express themselves and be heard. It’s an act of kindness to let them freely share their thoughts and emotions without feeling the need to offer immediate solutions.
Use Verbal and Non-Verbal Cues
You can show that you’re actively listening by using verbal responses and non-verbal cues to indicate your understanding and interest. You can nod, shake your head, smile, purse your lips, or shrug your shoulders. These are non-verbal of course.
You can also respond verbally with a simple, “Mm-hmm” or statements like “That must have been terrible” or “I’m sorry to hear that…” Supportive statements that are short and straightforward can encourage them to keep going, knowing that they have your attention and that you are indeed listening.
Summarize or Paraphrase
To make sure that you understand what the other person is saying, you can summarize or paraphrase what they have told you. It also shows that you are truly listening and you understand them. This will also prompt them to go on, knowing that you are engaged and actively listening to them.
Ask Open-Ended Questions
You can ask open-ended questions to encourage the other person to share more and clarify their thoughts. Doing so will help you better understand their perspective and avoid any misunderstanding, hurt feelings, or conflicts.
You can gain more insights into their feelings and thoughts, allowing you to delve deeper and provide more meaningful support.
Acknowledge the Other Person’s Feelings
Acknowledging someone’s feelings, even if you don’t share the same perspective, is crucial in active listening. Expressing empathy by recognizing their emotions validates their experiences. Sometimes, what they truly need is validation and understanding, so it’s essential to lend a supportive ear and let them know you are there for them.
Active listening is a powerful way to demonstrate kindness to others. It’s a way to show empathy and respect for others. By becoming a better listener, you can improve your relationships and make a positive impact on those around you. It will help you establish genuine connections with other people too!
Improving this skill demands practice and patience, yet the rewards it brings are invaluable. The effort invested in honing active listening skills pays off remarkably in enriching your interactions and relationships.
Listening, truly paying attention, is a wonderful and beautiful act of kindness.” – James Blanchard Cisneros
