How can you evaluate your own listening performance and identify areas for improvement as a student leader?

1 Assess your listening habits

The first step to improve your listening skills is to be aware of your own listening habits. How do you usually listen to others? Do you pay attention, ask questions, and show interest? Or do you get distracted, interrupt, or judge? You can use a self-assessment tool, such as the Active Listening Self-Assessment (ALSA), to measure your listening behavior and identify your strengths and weaknesses. You can also ask for feedback from your peers, mentors, or instructors on how they perceive your listening skills.

2 Avoid common listening barriers

The second step to improve your listening skills is to avoid common listening barriers that can interfere with your communication. Some of these barriers are external, such as noise, distractions, or time pressure. You can minimize these barriers by choosing a quiet and comfortable place to listen, turning off your phone or other devices, and scheduling enough time for the conversation. Other barriers are internal, such as biases, emotions, or assumptions. You can overcome these barriers by being open-minded, empathetic, and respectful of the speaker's views and feelings.

3 Practice active listening techniques

The third step to improve your listening skills is to practice active listening techniques that can enhance your understanding and engagement. Active listening requires paying attention to the speaker's words, tone, body language, and emotions, and responding accordingly. This includes paraphrasing the main points in your own words to check your comprehension and show that you are listening, asking questions to clear up any confusion or ambiguity, providing a brief overview of the speaker's message and the key takeaways at the end of the conversation, expressing your understanding of the speaker's feelings and emotions, and validating their experience, as well as using verbal and non-verbal cues such as nodding, smiling, or saying "uh-huh" or "I see" to show your interest and support.

4 Apply your listening skills to different situations

The fourth step to improve your listening skills is to apply them to different situations as a student leader. This could include listening to your team members to understand their roles and expectations, as well as providing feedback. Additionally, you may need to listen to stakeholders in order to identify their needs and goals. Listening to mentors or instructors can help you learn from their expertise and advice, while listening to peers or friends can help build rapport and trust. Ultimately, applying your listening skills in various contexts can demonstrate your competence and professionalism.

5 Review and improve your listening skills

To improve your listening skills, it is important to review and assess them regularly. Reflection can help you understand what went well, what didn’t, and what you can do better in the future. Seeking feedback from others and learning from mentors, instructors, or role models are also valuable strategies. Additionally, experimenting with different listening skills and techniques in various contexts can help you identify the best approach for you. Remember that listening is a skill that can be developed with practice and constructive criticism. By following these steps, you can become a more effective student leader who can communicate better, build relationships, and lead more effectively.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?