What does active listening involve?

Active listening involves engaging fully with the speaker to ensure that you not only hear their words but also understand the message being conveyed. Providing feedback is a crucial component of this process, as it confirms to the speaker that their message has been received accurately. This can include paraphrasing what has been said, asking clarifying questions, or summarizing the key points to demonstrate comprehension.

In contrast to the other options, which represent less effective communication strategies, active listening is about building a connection and understanding. Hearing spoken words without engagement does not reflect active listening, nor does responding only to factual content, as this approach ignores the emotional and contextual aspects of communication. Additionally, interrupting the speaker can disrupt the flow of conversation and may discourage open dialogue, which is counterproductive to the goals of active listening. Thus, providing feedback to confirm understanding is the cornerstone of effective communication in this context.