Listening Skills Test
During conversations, my own thoughts often pull my attention away.
I turn off my phone during talks to focus completely on listening.
I hold back from forming opinions while others speak.
I make sure not to cut off someone who's talking.
Keeping my advice to myself improves how well I listen.
While someone is speaking, I'm already planning what to say next.
If someone has trouble explaining themselves, I tend to jump in with my own ideas.
I ask questions to get a clearer picture of what's being shared.
When someone talks, I'm fully engaged in active listening.
Repeating back what I hear in my own words helps me understand better.
I don't try to complete other people's sentences for them.
I notice the speaker's gestures and expressions as they talk.
I steer clear of rejecting ideas outright.
I let the person finish speaking before deciding what I think.
I approach listening with a sense of curiosity.
I remember key points from discussions we've had.
I don't try to hurry a conversation along.
I aim to see things from other people's viewpoints.
Sometimes I have a quick, dismissive reply prepared during talks.
If I'm confused by what someone says, I prompt them to explain more.
20 questions remaining
What to Know
- You have to pay full attention and accept what is being said without question, even if you don't agree.
- Some people can't listen because they don't agree with what the speaker says. This could mean that the speaker is cut off or that someone is getting ready to attack them.
- A reflective listener thinks about what the other person is saying and then says it back to them. To make things clearer, reflective listening also includes giving feedback and asking open-ended questions.
- Some people have listening anxiety, which is the fear of not understanding or misinterpreting what someone else says. This is not common.
- People with conditions like autism or attention deficit disorder may not be able to listen well because they are easily distracted, their attention span is short, and other things.
- When you're overwhelmed with feelings like anger, anxiety, fear, or frustration, it can be hard to listen properly.
Change Now
Pay attention to what is being said.Making eye contact with the speaker and paying attention to their body language can help.
Be aware: To really listen, you have to be there and in the moment. Put your phone and other things that get in the way.
Talk to a professional. A therapist can help you think about whether and why you have certain things that make it hard for you to listen better.
