You've built strong presence through stance, pacing, and eye contact. Now let's master the listening side of connection: the Active Listening Loop.

Most people think listening is passive, but true listening is active engagement. It's a skill that makes others feel heard and valued.

Engagement Message

In one sentence, what's the key difference between merely hearing and truly listening?

The Active Listening Loop has three simple steps: Hear, Paraphrase, Confirm. This cycle prevents misunderstandings and shows genuine interest.

Step 1 is "Hear" - give your full attention. Put down distractions, make eye contact, and focus completely on their words and tone.

Engagement Message

What's one distraction you need to eliminate to truly "hear" someone?

Step 2 is "Paraphrase" - reflect back what you heard in your own words. This isn't repeating word-for-word, but summarizing their main point.

Try phrases like "So what I'm hearing is..." or "It sounds like you're saying..." This shows you're processing, not just waiting to speak.

Engagement Message

Using different words, how would you paraphrase "I'm frustrated with this project's timeline"?

Step 3 is "Confirm" - check if you understood correctly. Ask "Did I get that right?" or "Is that accurate?"

This gives them a chance to clarify or add details. It's your safety net against misunderstandings.

Engagement Message

Why is confirmation important even when you think you understood perfectly?

Here's the magic: this becomes a loop. After they confirm or clarify, you continue listening and repeat the cycle as needed.

Each loop deepens understanding and builds trust. The speaker feels genuinely heard, not just politely acknowledged.

Engagement Message

Briefly recall a moment when you felt truly heard—what did the listener do?