The Listening Process

The thing I found most interesting in this chapter was the listening process. It is a sequence process to help one be more listen oriented. It’s a complex process that involves far more than just hearing. Listening can be defined as an active, complex process that consists of being mindful, receiving physical messages, selecting and organizing material, interpreting communication, responding, and remembering. Mindfulness is the act of being fully present in the moment. Receiving physical messages is the second step and it means to be aware of the way someone is talking just in case there are problems hearing. Selecting and organizing material consists of attending to material that is important or that includes our own personal interests. Interpreting communication is the fourth step in the process and it involves being able to interpret what others are saying while they communicate. Responding is communicating attention and interest. So that the person communicating sees we are involved. The final step in the process is remembering which is the act of retaining what you have heard. Not just going in one ear and out the other.

Listening is a Ten Part Skill

I learned a lot from “listening is a ten part skill”. The ten parts to this skill of listening are find an area of interest, judge content not delivery, hold your fire, listen for ideas, be flexible, work at listening, resist distractions, exercise your mind, keep your mind open and finally capitalize on thought speed.  Most people spend a good share of their lives listening. Success or failure throughout life often depends on how well or how poorly a person listens. Almost any job involves a certain amount of listening. Whether it is instructions on how to do your job or listening to coworkers speak. Learning through listening is mainly an inside job, or an inside action on the part of the listener. What the listener needs to do is replace some common present attitudes with others. I found all of the explanations of these parts very useful when I’m having trouble listening to something specific. Hopefully now I know how to handle situations where listening is a very important factor.

Nonlistening

The six different types of nonlistening are pseudo listening, monopolizing, selective listening, defensive listening, ambushing, and literal listening. Pseudo listening is the act of pretending to listen. Monopolizing is continuously centering communication on us instead of listening to the person who is talking. Selective listening entails focusing only on certain parts of communication. Defensive listening is the act of perceiving personal attacks, criticism, or hostility in communication that is not critical or harsh whatsoever. Ambushing is listening carefully for the sole purpose of attacking a speaker. And finally literal listening, which involves paying attention only for content and ignoring the connection level of meaning. I have to admit I have partaken in multiple of these forms. Some have happen without even knowing. The most common in my communication are pseudo listening, selective listening, and literal listening. My plan to overcome these types of nonlistening is to actually pay attention when someone is talking and keep my focus throughout the whole lecture.  Not just take keep concepts from what is being said.