In every person’s relationships, communication plays a vital role. The need to express what they feel and to be honest about their thoughts is a telling factor in the relationship’s success. They need to understand what the other is trying to say. If the lines are a little bit hazy, then everything could crumble down. When it comes to communication, everyone must have the freedom to say their thoughts and feelings out loud.

In order to make relationships successful, you need to know the value of active listening. The skills involved are a must-have for anyone to be efficient at it. There are a variety of active listening skills you can employ, some of them are the use of questions, summary, and body language.

Relationships often start out smoothly, with everyone attuned to what the other is feeling. In couples, it’s all butterflies and roses at the beginning. You’re still enjoying the other person’s company.

Oftentimes, the getting-to-know-you stage can actually be the most fun. You will discover things about the other person that may surprise you. Then, things start to reveal themselves and you realize that the relationship isn’t what is seems. You actually start to see the flaws of the other person and that you don’t see everything eye to eye. This is when you need to start communicating at a deeper level.

This is when things actually become tricky. When you play your cards right, the relationship can go up a stage. However, when things just don’t work out, you need to go your separate ways. What you decide to do can either make or break the situation. You can choose to end things or take the high road by opening the lines of communication to revive your relationship and iron out your differences.

The first active listening skill you can use is questioning. It’s not about bombarding the other person with questions as if they were under investigation for a crime. It’s not the number of questions you ask that count. Instead, it’s the quality of the questions that comes out of you. You are asking to clear the air, not make your partner feel as if they’ve committed a crime. If there is something you want clarified, as them again to rephrase the sentence just in case they didn’t get it right. When combined with the proper body language, your partner will feel as if he or she is important.

Body language is one of the most important factors in active listening. This will reveal to the other person what your true intentions are. Make them feel that you value them and make eye contact. Turn your body towards their direction and acknowledge what they have to say.

Lastly, there is the use of summarizing. This involves rephrasing what they say in your own words. Emphasize the facts and talk about how you and your partner feel. In doing this, you establish a connection. It tells them that you are trying to understand what they want to convey.

Active listening is vital when it comes to creating relationships. So no matter who you meet, let them know that you are concerned about their wellbeing.