This unit detailed the six steps of active listening, as defined by Michael Hoppe, a director at the Center for Creative Leadership. Identify each step, then summarize the general progression of these steps in two or three sentences.
The six steps of active listening, as defined by Michael Hoppe, are as follows:
1. Attending: This step involves giving the speaker undivided attention, maintaining eye contact, and displaying an open and relaxed body posture.
2. Understanding: Here, the listener tries to comprehend the speaker's message by listening for the main ideas, avoiding interruptions, and asking clarifying questions when necessary.
3. Restating: This step involves paraphrasing or summarizing the speaker's message in one's own words to confirm understanding and show empathy.
4. Reflecting: The listener reflects back the speaker's emotions and feelings, demonstrating empathy and understanding.
5. Clarifying: In this step, the listener seeks further clarification by asking open-ended questions that encourage the speaker to provide more detail.
6. Sharing: Lastly, the listener shares their reactions, thoughts, or opinions about the speaker's message, creating a sense of mutual understanding and conversation.
The general progression of these steps involves the listener initially focusing on attending and understanding the speaker's message. Then, they move on to restating and reflecting, showing their grasp of the content and empathetic understanding. After clarifying any points of confusion, the listener concludes the interaction by sharing their own thoughts or reactions, promoting further dialogue and connection with the speaker.