Active Listening: Ability to Listen and Lead - Essay Example

Even though Mrs. Hirst felt uneasy, I cooled her nerves to share the problems through active listening (Hoppe, 2011).

First, I asked for her suggestion about a convenient meeting place. We jointly chose the conference room because it was a neutral and comfortable meeting place. I arranged the chairs at a conversational angle of 45 degrees. I also made drinking water accessible to her in case she needed it. Then, I assured her of her confidentiality and the ultimate goal of listening and never judging her. I then switched off my phone and requested her to do the same to limit interruptions. In addition, I made sure that no one interrupted our session in the conference room.

She began narrating her experiences with alcohol. Mainly, she explained how it affected her work, relationships, and family time. I maintained eye contact with the client, nodded, and sometimes encouraged her to talk through further probing. Mrs. Hirst cried at some level demonstrating her inner pain about the issue. I responded well by allowing her to shade tears after which we proceeded with the conversation. After the narration, she asked for my assistance. Instead, I guided her to make a sound solution to her problem by asking about her feelings and what she considers useful (Hoppe, 2011). She promised to stop drinking but required some guidance. I recommended a rehabilitation plan for her. In the end, I reassured her and promised her confidentiality. I also appreciated her bold decision to address the problem.

In conclusion, the session was emotional. However, I applied active listening skills to demonstrate maturity and help the client. I also set up a convenient environment and encouraged the client to speak without interruptions. I believe it was the best session ever.