Nursing

Tips for being a clear speaker and an active listener

Nurse Leader Insider, January 22, 2020

Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to Nurse Leader Insider!

When two people are involved in a conversation, one is sending information and the other is receiving it. For successful communication to occur, the sender must be a clear speaker and the receiver must be an active listener.

The sender should:

  • State one idea at a time.
  • State ideas simply and clearly.
  • Monitor your tone of voice and tempo.
  • Explain when appropriate.
  • Repeat if necessary (if you see ANY doubt!).
  • Encourage feedback—ask if the receiver is getting the message.
  • Read between the lines. Do your choice of words, tone, and body language all convey the same meaning?


The receiver should:

  • Listen carefully, concentrate
  • Evaluate—think and process the information
  • Provide feedback
  • Interpret the message
  • Verify the message you heard was correct


Editor’s note: This is an excerpt from Accountability in Nursing: Six Strategies to Build and Maintain a Culture of Commitment. Check out our latest nursing resources here.



Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to Nurse Leader Insider!

Most Popular