Most people don’t really listen —
they wait for their turn to speak. But active listening changes that. It’s not just about hearing. It’s about understanding. And it starts with The 3 A’s of Active Listening: 1. Attitude — Enter each conversation with openness, not judgment. 2. Attention — Be fully present; distractions can wait. 3. Adjustment — Be willing to change your view as you listen. So how do you practice that in real conversations? Start with these 15 phrases that show you’re truly listening: 🗣️ “I hear what you’re saying; can you tell me more?” ↳ Signals presence and curiosity. 🗣️ “That’s interesting; can you expand on that?” ↳ Invites depth, not just facts. 🗣️ “I appreciate your perspective on this.” ↳ Validates without necessarily agreeing. 🗣️ “Can you clarify what you mean by…?” ↳ Shows commitment to understanding, not assuming. 🗣️ “It sounds like you’re saying…” ↳ Demonstrates you're tracking their meaning. 🗣️ “What I’m hearing is…” ↳ Creates alignment and space for correction. 🗣️ “What steps can we take to improve this?” ↳ Translates listening into action. 🗣️ “What challenges do you foresee?” ↳ Surfaces roadblocks before they derail progress. 🗣️ “What do you think is the best solution?” ↳ Empowers the other person’s input. 🗣️ “How does this align with your overall goals?” ↳ Connects ideas to bigger intentions. 🗣️ “How does that make you feel?” ↳ Brings emotional intelligence into the room. 🗣️ “I understand; can you provide an example?” ↳ Encourages clarity through real context. 🗣️ “What are your main concerns here?” ↳ Uncovers silent objections. 🗣️ “What support do you need to move forward?” ↳ Turns empathy into action. 🗣️ “That’s a great point. How did you come to that conclusion?” ↳ Honors their thinking, not just their words.
