Traits of a good listener include being non-evaluative, paraphrasing, reflecting implications and hidden feelings, inviting further contribution, and responding non-verbally. A good listener does not judge the speaker, paraphrases to clarify understanding, uses body language like nodding to encourage the speaker, and asks open-ended questions to learn more without interrupting the flow. Non-verbal cues like eye contact and facial expressions also help convey interest and understanding to the speaker.

1. TRAITS OF A GOOD LISTENER

2. What are the characteristics / qualities /
traits of a good listener ?
1. Being Non-evaluative
2. Paraphrasing
3. Reflecting Implication
4. Reflecting Hidden Feelings
5. Inviting Further Contribution
6. Responding Non Verbally

3. Being Non-evaluative
• If you are an active listener
your verbal and
non-verbal actions will
suggest your
understanding.
• It will show that speaker
is properly heard.

4. • You (listener) should overlook (avoid) the qualities
of the speaker. For example – Ideas , attitudes ,
knowledge ,information, values whether is right or
wrong.
• You should not judge the qualities of the speaker.

5. • Your behaviour should show that you accept
the speaker without making any judgement.

6. Paraphrasing
• Paraphrase means if you wish to clarify a point ,
you have to paraphrase the topic of the speaker.
• To check whether you
understood the speaker
properly , you can
inquire from the speaker.

7. • To paraphrase the point of the speaker
correctly you can use following phrases,
• 1. “So you mean to say that……”
• 2. “Do you mean that….”

8. Reflecting Implication
• A good listener always encourages the speaker
by using reflecting implications.
• To reflect your feelings, you can appreciate the
speaker for his ideas, views and his
knowledge.

9. • It will encourage the speaker to expand his
ideas.
• The listener can motivate the speaker by
nodding his head or verbal methods or giving
positive feedback.

10. • For example ;
• 1 “ So you mean to say that…”
• 2. “ I am sure if you did that, you…”

11. Reflecting Hidden Feelings
• As a listener sometimes you have to be positive.
• You as a listener express your
underlying feelings , intentions
,values ,which can influence
the speaker by following
sentences :

12. • 1. “If I were in your place…”
• 2. “If I were in such a situation…”
• 3. “If that had happened to me…”

13. Inviting Further Contribution
• If you have not heard or understood the
message clearly, but still if you want to
respond, you can ask the speaker to give more
information about the topic.

14. • For that we can use following phrases;
• 1. “Can you throw more light on it ?”
• 2. “After that what happened ?”
• 3. “How did you react ?”

15. “Will you
explain
It in detail?”
“Yes, of
course”

16. • While it is useful to ask questions, be alert
about asking too many, If you ask too many
questions, it will create negative environment
in communication.

17. Responding Non-verbally
• A listener can show the speaker that he is an
active listener by showing positive gestures
and postures.
• Your non-verbal signals express your interests
and positive attitude.

19. • These include: body language, eye contact,
postures, gestures, facial expression, etc.
• These types of signals reflect trust, interest
and understanding.