Good Listening

GOOD LISTENING

What is good listening?

The process of listening can be divided into smaller segments for better understanding of the problem:

1) Sensing – pertains to hearing the message.

2) Interpreting – refers to understanding what has been heard.

3) Evaluating – means formatting an option of what has been said.

4) Remembering – refers to storage of the message for future use.

5) Responding – refers to acknowledging what has been said.

What hinders good listening?

a) Noise – affects hearing.

b)Boredom – makes what is being said unattractive.

c) Mental block – does not permit a person to accept a new idea.

d) Restlessness – encourages interruptions.

e) Fatigue – diminishes the listener’s concentration.

The ability to listen and understand the others viewpoint signifies intelligent behavior.

How can we become a good listener?

Listening effectively is an acquired skill and requires you to concentrate on what is being said. It also requires you refrain from speaking until the other person has finished delivering the message. Here are a few ways to become a good listener:

1) Establish eye contact with the speaker. When you look at the speaker, there is an unspoken assurance that you are listening.

2) Sit up with a straight back. It improves attentiveness.

3) Consider how the information being provided is useful to you.

4) It extraneous thoughts invade your mind, remind yourself that what is being said is important for you.

5) If it is a one- to- one session, confirm what has been conveyed to you by summarizing it up in your own words.

6) When part of a group to whom information is being imparted, nodding your head confirms you are listening. If necessary, confirm the information at the end of the session.

7)   When the information is important, make notes immediately after the session. It will help the information to be a part of your memory.

Most people are not good listeners. Lack of attention is a common cause for poor listening. Getting a complete message is important when listening. Confirming a message helps understand it better. A wandering mind results in poor listening. Listening effectively is an acquired skill. A good listener is a good learner.