Listening

By: Asma Khan Communication Skills

Listening

To give attention with ear; attend closely for the purpose of hearing; give ear; to hear To pay attention, heed; obey: Children dont always listen to their parents

Purpose of Listening

It is impossible to hear someone without being able to summarize what the persons/ speaker has said. The fault is not entirely of the sender.

Purpose of Listening

Why listen? There are 4 good reasons:

1. 2.

3.

4.

To gain new information and ideas To question and test evidence and assumptions To be inspired To improve your own communication

Faults in Listening

Listening is as important as the other three components of communication; speaking, reading and writing Much information that we sent orally is lost because of listeners poor listening habits Studies show that listening efficiency is no better than 25% to 30%

Faults in Listening
1.

2.
3. 4. 5. 6.

Prejudice against speaker External distraction Thinking speed Premature evaluation Semantic stereotypes Delivery

Faults in Listening
1.

Prejudice against speaker:

An internal distraction Distraction because the speaker conflicts with our attitudes. For e.g., can you maintain attention when the speakers position, attitude or belief is entirely contrary to your own?

Faults in Listening
2.

External Distractions:
Nonverbal cues are strong external distractions For e.g., does the speaker stammer, wears loud clothing, uses his hands excessively? Entire physical environment affects listening such as noisy fans, poor lighting, distracting background music Sitting near disturbing individuals in the audience

Faults in Listening
3.

Thinking Speed:
We speak 80-160 words per minute. Yet people have the capacity to think at the phenomenal rate of up to 800 words/ minute To process what speaker is saying listeners loose attention and soon go out of track of the words of the speaker-missing some important points

Faults in Listening
4.

Premature Evaluation:
We anticipate. As a result of our rapid thinking speed we race ahead to what we feel is the conclusion. Although that is quite different from what that the speaker intended. For e.g., how many times have you interrupted the persons before they completed their thought? Finished their sentences? Stated their conclusion?

Faults in Listening
5.

Semantic Stereotypes:
Some words bother us and cause negative reactions Internal reaction words vary from person to person, each list influenced by feelings, attitudes, prejudice, biases we carry inside ourselves.

Faults in Listening
6.

Delivery:
A monotone can put listener to sleep or cause them to loose interest Poor message delivery can make listeners bored, uninterested and critical of the message

How to Improve Your Listening Skills

1.

2.
3. 4.

5.
6. 7.

8.

Be prepared Be positive Listen to understand not refute Focus your attention Concentrate on context Take notes Curb the impulse to interrupt Summarize and evaluate

Results of Good Listening

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Leads to helpful, positive attitudes- by understanding the hindrances that lie in the way of good listening Permits the speaker and listeners to improve communication because each side is more aware of and receptive to others viewpoint. Indicates by feedback to the speaker that listeners are interested; in turn, the speaker tries harder to give his/ her best presentation Helps listener obtain useful information on which they can make accurate decisions Creates better understanding of others and thus helps listeners work with other Helps the speaker in talking out a problem