Active Listening: An essential skill for coaching
Synopsis
The intent of this paper is to discuss the concept of ACTIVE LISTENING and its relevance not only for achieving effective communication, but also as one of the most important coaching skills.
In this discussion we will go through the different aspects of listening. We will analyze the significance of Active Listening, what are the required techniques and skills, and how to develop them. On the other hand we will also analyze why it is so difficult for people to really listen, and the barriers that people experience in the process. There will also be a review of the techniques and skills that active listeners possess. Finally we will review active listening in relation to the coaching field.
Listening involves hearing the speaker’s words, understanding the message and its importance to the speaker, and communicating that understanding to the speaker. The apparent problem is, of all the communication skills, listening is the earliest learned and the most frequently used, yet it seems to be the least mastered.