Mastering Active Listening: One of the Easiest Ways to Build Resilience (and Connection)

Hey everyone! Today I want to chat about something that might seem really simple, but it’s actually a bit of a game changer when it comes to building resilience and stronger relationships: active listening.

And no, it’s not just “nodding along” while someone talks! It’s about really tuning in to what they're saying (or maybe not saying).

We dive into this in Day 4 of the Resilience Reboot course, but here’s the gist:

Listen for the full meaning - People often say one thing, but feel another. You’ve probably had someone say “I’m fine”, but you could tell they weren’t. Listening closely means paying attention to the emotion behind the words too.
Respond to how they feel - This one’s huge. When someone opens up, try to reflect back the feeling. Instead of jumping to fix things, just saying something like, “That sounds really tough” can go a long way.
Notice the non-verbal stuff: this is tone, body language, even silence... it all says something. Losing my voice has taught me that how we communicate often matters more than the actual words.

The best part? When you start listening this way, it not only helps others feel seen and heard, it can help you feel more connected, calm, and grounded too. So if you're keen to practise this (and strengthen your emotional resilience while you're at it), check out the 7-Day Resilience Reboot in the Classroom tab.

Also, let me know if you've had a moment recently where someone really listened to you? Or where you caught yourself showing up fully for someone else? Would love to hear about it.

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