Communication - Nonverbal component of Reflective Listening

In the last byte, we looked at how clarifying the implicit and reflecting on the core helps reflective listening. In today’s byte, we look at the non verbal components of reflective listening and see how it helps understand the discussion better.

It is a common observation that people who are upset do not speak with each other for long durations of time. On the other hand, we also tend to associate long, extended periods of silence as something discomforting. If such silence happens in a conversation it could be inferred as a source of embarrassment! This apart, silence could also help both the speaker and listener in reflective listening - let’s see how:

• Speaker’s perspective - it helps in moments of thought or confusion about the apt means to express a difficult idea.
• Listener's perspective - it could be used to sort out their own thoughts/feelings about the speaker's take on the idea.
• Silence helps identify and isolate the personal response of the listener and helps control them from being got into the dialogue.

Eye Contact helps open up conversations between people. There are different interpretations of eye contact and these are influence primarily by the cultural context of the country. However the commonality is -

1. Too much direct eye contact could have intimidating effect
2. Moderate direct eye contact opens up the discussion and indicates affirmation.