1. Be present:
- Sit face to face with the speaker, maintain eye contact, and avoid distractions.
2. Encourage conversation:
- Nod or make supportive sounds like "uh-huh," "right," and "okay" to show you're engaged.
3. Be receptive:
- Avoid judging, interrupting, or thinking about your response while they're speaking.
4. Ask clarifying questions:
- If you don't understand something, ask questions for clarification.
5. Summarize:
- Occasionally, summarize what the speaker has said to show that you're following.
6. Show empathy:
- Try to understand the speaker's perspective and emotions.
7. Avoid giving advice unless asked:
- Sometimes people just need a listening ear, not necessarily advice.
8. Respect silence:
- Don't rush to fill silence. Thoughtful pauses are okay.
9. Be respectful and non-judgmental:
- Avoid judging or criticizing the speaker's thoughts or feelings.
10. Offer nonverbal cues:
- Nod, smile, and use gestures to show you're engaged.
11. Be aware of your body language:
- Maintain open body language and lean slightly toward the speaker.
12. Practice active paraphrasing:
- Restate what you've heard in your own words to ensure understanding.
13. Stay focused:
- Even if the conversation takes an unexpected turn, try to stay focused on the speaker.
14. Be patient:
- Allow the speaker to express themselves without interrupting.
15. Give feedback when appropriate:
- If asked for your opinion, provide thoughtful and constructive feedback.
16. Be encouraging:
- Offer positive reinforcement and encouragement to the speaker.
17. Respect confidentiality:
- Keep the conversation private unless the speaker gives you permission to share.
18. Be grateful:
- Thank the speaker for sharing their thoughts and feelings with you.
19. Practice empathy:
- Try to put yourself in the speaker's shoes and see things from their perspective.
20. Follow up:
- If appropriate, follow up with the speaker to show that you genuinely care about what they said.