| Situation | Without Active Listening | With All 3 Components | |-----------|-------------------------|------------------------| | Colleague complains about workload | “You just need to manage your time better.” (No emotional or cognitive listening) | Hears the specific tasks. Emotional: Detects stress. Behavioral: Nods, then says: “So you’re overwhelmed by three deadlines this week – that sounds stressful. Which one is heaviest?” |
Before a meeting or conversation, explicitly tell yourself: "My goal is to understand, not to debate." 3 components of active listening
The first component of active listening is entirely physical. It is the act of signaling to the speaker that they have entered a safe space where their thoughts matter. If your body language is closed off, the speaker’s message will never fully form; they will self-censor, sensing your disinterest. | Situation | Without Active Listening | With
