Active Listening Techniques: Paraphrasing and Asking Open-Ended Questions

The paraphrasing technique to confirm understanding.

One of the most effective active listening tools is paraphrasing.

This technique consists of summarizing and repeating in our own words what we believe the speaker has said, in order to clarify the message and ensure that we have understood it correctly.

The process is simple but powerful: first, we let the speaker finish his idea without interruption; second, we rephrase the central content of his message ("So, if I have not misunderstood, what you mean is that..."); and third, we seek confirmation from the speaker.

This action not only prevents misunderstandings, but also demonstrates to the speaker that we are genuinely invested in their message and are making a real effort to understand their perspective.

How to ask open-ended questions to encourage elaboration

Far from being an interruption, asking questions is a sure sign of interest and a pillar of active listening. However, not all questions are equal.

The most effective are open-ended questions, designed to encourage the speaker to elaborate and delve deeper into his or her thoughts and feelings.

These questions invite an expansive response rather than a monosyllable.

By asking them, we give the speaker the opportunity to explore his own point of view in greater detail, which often helps him clarify his own ideas.

This technique transforms a simple reception of information into a collaborative and exploratory conversation.

The key difference between open-ended and closed-ended questions

The fundamental difference between the two types of questions lies in the type of response they elicit.

Closed-ended questions are those that can be answered with a simple "yes" or "no" or with a single piece of information (e.g., "Did you finish the report?").

They are useful for getting quick confirmation, but tend to close the flow of the conversation.

In contrast, open-ended questions cannot be answered with a single word and require an explanation (e.g., "How did you feel about working on that report?").

While closed-ended questions seek data, open-ended questions seek understanding, context and emotion, opening the door to a richer dialogue.

Practical examples of how to apply these techniques in a conversation

Let's imagine a colleague says, "I'm exhausted. Tomorrow's presentation is causing me a lot of stress and I don't know if it will be up to par."

Ineffective response (closed-ended question): "Are you nervous?" (Probable answer: "Yes"). Conversation stops.

Effective response (paraphrase): "I understand. It sounds like tiredness is coming together with pressure to do a good job on tomorrow's presentation, is that right?". This response validates your feelings and confirms understanding.

Effective response (open-ended question): "I'm sorry you feel this way-what aspect of the presentation is bothering you the most?" This question invites you to specify and share more details, opening an avenue for constructive discussion.

Summary

One of the most effective tools is paraphrasing, which consists of summarizing in our own words what we believe the other person has said. This action prevents misunderstandings and demonstrates a real effort to understand.

Asking open-ended questions is a pillar of active listening, as it encourages the speaker to elaborate and go deeper. These questions invite an expansive response, transforming a simple reception of information into a collaborative and exploratory conversation.

Closed questions (e.g., "Did you finish the report?") are answered with "yes" or "no" and tend to close the conversation. Open-ended ones (e.g., "What aspect are you most concerned about?") seek understanding, context and emotion, opening the door to a richer dialogue.