3 Signs You're Not Listening

It's crucial for peer specialists to be skilled active listeners to provide effective support. Here are 3 signs that a peer specialist may not be actively listening:

1. Frequent Interrupting or Dominating the Conversation: If the peer specialist consistently cuts the person off, finishes their sentences, or quickly steers the conversation back to their own experiences without allowing the individual to fully express themselves, it's a strong sign they're not truly listening. Active listening involves giving the speaker ample space to share their thoughts and feelings. Instead of listening to understand, they might be listening only to reply or share their own story.

   
   

2. Distracted Body Language and Lack of Engagement Cues: Non-verbal cues are very telling. If the peer specialist is avoiding eye contact, looking around the room, fidgeting, checking their phone, or has closed-off body language (like crossed arms without a clear reason), it suggests their attention is elsewhere. Active listening involves showing engagement through nodding, appropriate facial expressions that mirror the speaker's emotions (to a degree), and an open, attentive posture.

   
   

   

   
   

3. Offering Unsolicited Advice or Solutions Prematurely: While peer specialists share their lived experiences, a sign of not actively listening is jumping in with advice or trying to "fix" the problem before the person has fully explained their situation or expressed their feelings. People often need to feel heard and understood before they are receptive to suggestions. An actively listening peer specialist will focus on validating the person's experience and understanding their perspective first, and will often ask if the person is looking for solutions or just needs to talk.