Communication in Business and Personal Life: How Active Listening Transforms Connections

Active listening plays a critical role both in business and personal life. With the holidays approaching, parties, events, and family gatherings offer the perfect opportunity to put your listening skills to the test. True active listening means truly hearing what the other person is saying, asking questions, and responding in a way that encourages them to keep talking. It requires holding back on sharing about yourself unless asked—and being okay if you're not asked at all.

Maria, a client of mine, initially believed she was an excellent listener. Through coaching, we discovered she had room for improvement. I encouraged her to engage in an active listening challenge at her family BBQ, and the results were eye-opening.

Maria realized three things:

1. First, she learned more about what was happening in her family members' lives
2. Second, people were more inclined to engage with her and show more interest in her life
3. Third, she felt more connected with family and friends like never before. This simple exercise shifted her perspective—she saw how often she wasn't fully present and how much she was missing out on.

I often share this activity with clients to help them test and refine their active listening skills. It’s a fun, eye-opening experience that leads to stronger connections and an appreciation for the power of truly listening.

Start by taking our Active Listening Quiz to see where your skills are today. Then, after attending a few events and putting your listening skills to the test, retake the quiz and review your progress.

Here are 10 Steps to Improve Your Active Listening Right Now!

This journey is about building stronger connections, enhancing your communication skills, and creating more opportunities for growth in both your personal life and career/business.