What qualities are essential for active listening?

Active listening is a critical skill, especially in peer support and counseling contexts, emphasizing the importance of understanding and engaging with the speaker effectively. The essential qualities for active listening include attentiveness and empathy.

Attentiveness refers to the ability to fully focus on the speaker without distractions. This means not just hearing the words but also being present in the moment, indicating through body language and facial expressions that you are engaged. Empathy involves understanding and sharing the feelings of the speaker, which helps in building trust and rapport. By demonstrating empathy, a listener validates the speaker's emotions and experiences, creating a safe space for open communication.

These two qualities work together to ensure that the listener accurately receives and interprets the information being shared, fostering a deeper connection and understanding between individuals. This ultimately leads to effective communication, which is vital in supportive relationships.