Active listening is a method of listening that gives the listener space to express him or herself fully, then favors reformulation of the information heard, so that the listener feels heard and understood with attention and benevolence. This reformulation can be synthetic and accompanied by questions.
It enables the listener to better formulate what he or she wants to say, and to qualify or correct it if necessary. It’s only after this extensive exchange that the listener usually formulates a request, help or advice. In active listening, the listener waits for this signal before making suggestions or asking more questions.
Active listening is a method of dialogue that both calms people in conflict by developing a respectful relationship and helps to resolve the listener’s problem or dilemma.