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Sample Psychology Research Paper on The Importance of Listening Skills in Life Coaching

The Importance of Listening Skills in Life Coaching

Listening refers to the process by which information is received and interpreted following the communication process. The listening process is different from hearing which involves the biological reception and recording of sound. Listening requires keenness to the information given. An active listener clearly understands the messages received during communication and participates through providing feedback on the information given. On the other hand, passive listen involves reception and interpretation of information without providing feedback on the same.

Ellen (2010), reports that besides actively participating in the communication process, active listeners also perform actions such as paraphrasing to indicate that the message has clearly been understood. In every communication, active listening is important as it enables the parties involved to develop shared meaning in communication. Through active listening, the listener communicates the ability to retain the message being conveyed by the speaker. In addition to this, active listening enables the listener to focus on the communication process thereby preventing disruptions in the process. The speaker interprets the listener’s body language into useful information (Angela, 2010).

The key differences between active listening and passive listening are that the passive listening process enables the listener to understand all the information being given effectively. On the other hand, active listening enables the listener to receive all the information being spoken. There are several strategies that can be used to develop effective listening skills. Active and passive listening processes are considered inseparable. While active listening is appropriate in various settings such as counseling sessions, tutorials and small talk, the passive listening aspect is mainly beneficial towards the understanding of the information being relayed and establishment of a balanced form of listening. Passive listening also helps the listener to recognize inconsistencies between the verbal and the non-verbal communication between the participant people.

Life coaching requires effective listening skills. Even though the listener should contribute to the communication process, it is important for the communication to involve taking turns in order to understand the message completely. The coach can only integrate the client into the coaching process through active listening. In addition to this, the ability to listen effectively can help the client to open up about his/ her experiences. The coach should relax, eliminate other thoughts from his/ her mind and thus focus on the information given by the client (Collins, 2009). Empathy and elimination of distractions is also important in establishing effective relationships with the client. Furthermore, impartiality and personal prejudice can improve the life coaching process hence making the client feel comfortable with the communication. Effective listening is aimed at paying attention to the ideas being given rather than to the words being spoken. Life coaching is aimed at providing guidance to clients in order to help them address certain issues in their lives.

Life coaching involves the examination of a client’s life happenings in order to find a solution to the pertinent problems. This requires effective listening skills as they help the coach to effectively address the needs of the client and to subsequently provide authentic care to the client. Effective listening also helps the coach to ask relevant questions that can enable him/ her to address the problems of the client. It also enables the coach to work hand in hand with the client in the establishment of a vision and to make appropriate referrals where needed. It also helps to foster clients’ career development.

 

References

Angela, D. (2010). Essential Life Coaching Skills, London: Routledge.

Clinton, T. (2009). Biblical Counseling: Personal and Emotional Issues, Michigan: Baker Books.

Collins, G.R. (2009). Christian Coaching: Helping Other Turn Potential into Reality, Canada: NavPress Publishing.

Ellen, E.L. (2010). Listening, Language and Learning: Skills of Highly Qualified Listening and Spoken Language Specialists in Educational Settings, Journal of the Volta Review, 110(2): 77-91.

 

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