When a coach works with a client, guiding them through the conversation with powerful, exploring, open-ended questions, and uses the client’s own language to reinforce their goals, outcomes, plans, this is what it referred to as active, or “Level Two”, listening.

The art and science of active listening is listening with intention to truly understand what is being communicated.  It requires active responses that invite further conversation, reflection and understanding. Active listening skills help coaches draw out the core of an issue and begin to solve problems with more depth; therefore, it’s an essential factor in establishing a positive relationship with a client.  So these skills are paying attention, withholding judgement, reflecting on what has been said, asking for clarification, asking open ended and probing questions, summarising what you think you’ve heard and sharing this back to the speaker to see if this is what they believe they have said.

These key active listening skills may seem straightforward, perhaps something we do all the time anyway, but have a think about these the next time you step away from a conversation and reflect on how many you actually experienced. Makes for a very interesting exercise.

For more, have a read of the wonderful book “The Lost Art of Listening” by Michael P. Nichols.