" Arrange the steps of effective listening.
A. Don’t ask questions to grab attention. Empathise with the speaker.
B. Be open minded and create a mental picture of what the speaker is saying.
C. Give genuine feedback, both verbal and non-verbal.
D. Don’t respond in haste, be patient, and wait for your turn.
E. Establish eye contact and observe the body language of the speaker.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct option is D

Effective listening involves a series of steps that help ensure understanding, empathy, and meaningful engagement with the speaker. The correct order is as follows:
1. E: Establish eye contact and observe the body language of the speaker
· Effective listening starts with creating a connection. By establishing eye contact and observing body language, you show the speaker that you are paying attention. It also helps the listener to understand the non-verbal cues, which are a significant part of communication.
2. B: Be open-minded and create a mental picture of what the speaker is saying
· After ensuring attention through eye contact, the next step is to approach the communication with an open mind. This involves avoiding pre-judgments and visualizing the content being communicated to grasp its meaning effectively.
3. D: Don’t respond in haste, be patient, and wait for your turn
· Listening also requires patience. Instead of interrupting or rushing to provide a response, the listener must allow the speaker to finish their point. This step emphasizes self-restraint and ensures complete understanding before contributing to the conversation.
4. A: Don’t ask questions to grab attention. Empathize with the speaker
· Instead of asking questions prematurely to seek validation or attention, the listener should empathize with the speaker. This step highlights the importance of understanding the emotional tone and responding appropriately, without steering the conversation away from the speaker’s concerns.
5. C: Give genuine feedback, both verbal and non-verbal
· Finally, offering feedback — through both words and body language — confirms that you have listened and understood the speaker. It signals engagement and encourages a productive exchange of ideas.
Information Booster:
Effective listening is a critical component of communication, as it involves not just hearing words but truly understanding the speaker's intent and emotions. By maintaining eye contact and paying attention to body language (step E), listeners establish a foundation of attentiveness. Being open-minded (step B) allows the listener to absorb the message without bias. Patience (step D) is necessary to let the speaker articulate their point without feeling rushed. Empathy (step A) deepens the connection between the speaker and listener, ensuring the listener is aligned with the speaker's feelings. Finally, feedback (step C) closes the communication loop, validating the speaker and fostering further discussion.