Active Constructive Listening

Developing active constructive listening skills is an essential life skill.

We can break it down into simple, easy to master steps.

• Listen carefully when people you care about tell you about good things and the bad things that have happened.
• Make an effort to respond actively and in a constructive way.
• Display your understanding of the strengths they have developed from their experiences.
• Ask positive questions, such as ‘how did you do that?’ or ‘how did you cope?’
• Amplify the strengths that the person developed from adversity.
• Make mental notes of the highs and lows they have experienced.
• Notice when people use their strengths and comment on them rather than pointing out what they are doing wrong.