Drama – Customer care and working procedures | e-Consult

Active listening is a crucial communication skill involving fully concentrating on what is being said, understanding the message, responding thoughtfully, and remembering the information. Key elements include:

• Paying Attention: This involves focusing solely on the speaker, minimizing distractions, and maintaining eye contact.
• Showing That You’re Listening: Using non-verbal cues like nodding, smiling, and maintaining an open posture.
• Providing Feedback: Paraphrasing what the speaker has said to confirm understanding (e.g., "So, if I understand correctly, you're feeling frustrated because...").
• Deferring Judgment: Avoiding interrupting or jumping to conclusions.
• Responding Appropriately: Offering thoughtful and relevant responses, rather than simply waiting for your turn to speak.

In a scene with another actor, a performer can demonstrate active listening in several ways. For example:

• During a dialogue exchange, the performer can paraphrase the other actor's lines to show they understand. For instance, if the other actor says, "I'm really worried about this decision," the performer could respond, "So, you're feeling anxious about the potential consequences?"
• The performer can use non-verbal cues to indicate they are engaged. This could involve nodding, maintaining eye contact, and leaning slightly towards the other actor.
• If the other actor is expressing emotion, the performer can reflect that emotion back. For example, if the other actor is speaking with sadness, the performer could respond with a sympathetic expression and a gentle tone of voice.
• The performer can ask clarifying questions to ensure they fully understand the other actor's perspective. For example, "Could you tell me more about what you mean by that?"