What is a suggested verbal listening skill to gain more information?

Probing is a valuable verbal listening skill used to gain deeper insight and gather more information during a conversation. By asking probing questions, a listener prompts the speaker to elaborate on their thoughts, feelings, or explanations, thereby uncovering underlying issues or clarifying ambiguous points. This technique encourages an open dialogue, allowing the listener to explore areas of conversation that might need further elaboration or detail.

Probing questions often begin with phrases like “Can you tell me more about that?” or “What do you mean when you say...?” This approach fosters an environment where the speaker feels encouraged to provide additional context or specificity, ultimately leading to a more comprehensive understanding of the topic at hand. In scenarios where precise details are essential, such as in administrative or professional settings, employing probing as a listening skill is particularly effective in gathering the necessary information for decision-making or problem-solving.