This document provides an overview of active listening and tips to practice it. Active listening refers to listening with all senses rather than just hearing, and showing understanding through body language and feedback. Most time is spent communicating and listening, but only 25% is spent actively listening. The document then lists and explains 9 things people can do today to improve active listening, such as making eye contact, nodding, asking questions, and taking notes. Regular practice is emphasized for effective active listening.

1. THE ULTIMATE
GUIDE TO
ACTIVE
LISTENING
A look into effective communication skills.
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2. “I remind myself every morning:
Nothing I say this day will teach me
anything. So if I’m going to learn, I
must do it by listening.”
Larry King
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3. WHAT IS ACTIVE
LISTENING?
Active listening refers to the use of all senses
to listen to what someone’s saying as opposed
to just hearing it. It shows people that you care
about and understand what they’re saying.
Most of the time, it comes in the form of body
language.
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4. WHY IS ACTIVE
LISTENING
IMPORTANT?
An average of 70% of our days are spent
communicating, with about 50% spent just
listening to others, and only about 25% actively
listening.
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5. 9 THINGS YOU CAN START
DOING TODAY TO
PRACTICE ACTIVE
LISTENING:
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6. 9. MAKE EYE
CONTACT
Eye contact is one of the most important
factors of active listening. It shows that you’re
paying attention and staying engaged.
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7. 8. CHECK YOUR
POSTURE
The key to active listening is body language.
Keep your posture open and inviting, and
avoid confrontational body language like
crossing your arms and looking down.
Be sure you’re not slumping in your chair –
even if you are listening, it gives off the
impression that you’re not engaged with the
speaker.
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8. 7. COMMENT
Instead of just saying, “uh huh,” comment on
what they’re saying to show that you’re
listening and understanding what they’re
saying.
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9. 6. NOD
Nodding occasionally is another great way to
show that you’re engaged with the speaker.
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10. 5. REPEAT
Before responding, it’s a good idea to sum up
everything the other person said to show that
you were paying attention and that you want
to understand what they’re telling you.
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11. 4. FACE THEM
Besides being disrespectful, keeping your back
turned to someone while they’re talking to you
shows that you’re not paying attention to
them, and gives off the impression that what
they’re saying isn’t important to you.
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12. 3. MINIMIZE
DISTRACTIONS
Put your phone down while others are talking
to you. Your focus should be on them, and it
should show.
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13. 2. TAKE NOTES
Taking notes is a great way to show someone
you’re hearing what they’re saying,
particularly during meetings and interviews.
It’s good practice to bring a pen and notepad
with you everywhere, just in case.
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14. 1. ASK QUESTIONS
Ask questions for clarification, like “What do
you mean when you say…” This shows that
you care about the points they’re making and
you’re trying to understand.
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15. PRACTICE MAKES
PERFECT!
Active listening takes concentration and lots of
practice. Go into every meeting, interview and
conversation with the goal of not only listening
to understand, but showing that you’re
listening to understand.
Always remember the golden rule of active
listening: listen to others the way you’d want
to be listened to!
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16. ABOUT US
Brown & Joseph provides innovative solutions
for accounts receivable management.
For more information, visit
www.brownandjoseph.com.
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17. THANK YOU
FOR YOUR
TIME.
We hope you enjoyed
our presentation.
BROWN & JOSEPH, LTD.