You don't need to be a Counsellor to become an Effective Listener

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When an individual needs emotional support they can benefit from having someone to listen and understand their situation.  Follow these simple steps to become an effective listener.

LISTEN ATTENTIVELY

Use eye contact, open body language and only focus on the person who is talking. Use non-verbal gestures such as nods or smiles. Try to repeat what the person has said so that they know you have heard the main points.

IMAGINE WALKING IN THEIR SHOES

Try to step into the person’s shoes to get a sense of how they are feeling.  This will help you to feel more empathetic to their situation.

RESPOND WITH UNDERSTANDING

When you respond articulate the main points and acknowledge the feelings the person expressed.  Let the person know you have understood the situation and their emotion. Allow the person to express any emotion and expand on any points.