Listening SkillsHow to be an Active Listener

ListeningWarning__

Active ListeningGood listening skills are important in schoolthe workplace day-to-day living

Yet most of us receive very little training in effective listening.

Good Listeners

Minimize or remove any barriers to communication that may threaten their effectiveness. Physically face towards and pay attention to the speaker. Listen for and verbally confirm the speaker's intent or purpose. Confirm the content or the speaker's request (the who, what, where, when, why and how). Clarify the degree of importance of the request to the speaker. What is the reason, need or urgency of the request? Recognize the level of emotion demonstrated by the speaker.Summarize and share their understanding of what is being requested.Indicate the level of response they will be able to provide.

Factors That Hinder ListeningMany factors hinder our listening. Here are a few examples:

Daydreaming.

Preparing our responses ahead of time.

Thinking about other people, places or things.

7 Ways to Improve Your Listening

Here are 7 strategies and suggestions to help you improve your listening skills.

1.) Increase your listening span: Try to resist the temptation to interrupt.

Make sure the speaker has had a complete chance to make his or her point before you speak.

If you don't get the whole message, ask the speaker to repeat what they said.

Ways to Improve Your Listening2.) Take time to listen: Don't put obvious limitations on your listening time - the speaker will feel rushed.

3.) Listen between the lines: Don't just listen to what is being said.

Try to understand the attitudes, needs and motives behind the words.

Ways to Improve Your Listening4.) Give your full attention: Nodding or interjecting occasionally to clarify a point lets the speaker know you are interested.

If the speaker pauses briefly, don't rush to fill the silence.

Use open-ended questions to encourage elaboration.

Ways to Improve Your Listening5.) Restate the message: When you are sure that the speaker has finished, restate the main points.

This is a good organizing strategy for you.

It also gives the speaker assurance that the message has been received.

Ways to Improve Your Listening6.) Listen for ideas as well as facts: A good listener makes an effort to understand what the facts add up to.

7.) Don't monopolize: Resist the urge to dominate a situation or to feel that you know everything about a situation.

Be open to new ideas and allow the speaker to have his or her say.

Difference between Hearing and ListeningHearing---physical process

Listening---active mental process; attempt to make meaning of what we hear

Steps of Listening1. Hearing---electrochemical impulses are transmitted to brain

2. Attending---what we decide to focus on based on our wants/needs

Steps contd3. Understanding---Making meaning of what is heard based on grammar and social context4. Remembering---ability to recall information. People remember 1/2 of what they listen to immediately and 1/4 of info from 2 months ago.

3 Types of Listening1. Informationalused when dealing with factsgather as much accurate data as possiblefocus on factual details rather than criticism or judgment

3 Types of Listening2. Evaluativepurpose is evaluation and decision-makingInformational listening MUST come before thisEvaluate on basis of speakers credibility, use of evidence, and emotional appeal

3 Types of Listening3. EmpathicFocus on speakers emotionsto provide emotional support in order to help speaker solve a problem or come to terms with a situationIntention is NOT to make decision for the speaker.

7 Bad Habits (that interfere with effective listening)1. Pseudolistening---acting like you are listening when your mind is elsewhere2. Self-Centered---Rehearsing what you will say while speaker is speaking

7 Bad Habits (that interfere with effective listening)Selective---listen only to those parts of message that are of particular interest or immediate relevanceFill-in---gaps left in understanding by selective listening filled by what we expect to hear

7 Bad Habits (that interfere with effective listening)Defensive---focus on ideas not even there and interpret as personal attacks when they were not intended that wayInsulated---choose not to listen to what we dont want to hear

7 Bad Habits (that interfere with effective listeningReconstructive---take a new message and rebuild it so its like a previous message. (Telephone Game)