What is Listening ?

“Seek first to understand…

Then to be understood.”

(Covey, 1997)

 Effective conversation is 2-way process that depends on speaking and listening.

   Definition of Listening

   Listening (ILA, 1996): The process of receiving, constructing meaning from, and responding to spoken and/or nonverbal messages; to hear something with thoughtful attention.

Listening is composed of six distinct components

Hearing:    

             The physiological process of receiving sound and/or other stimuli.

Attending:  

             The conscious and unconscious process of focusing attention on external stimuli.

Interpreting: 

             The process of decoding the symbols or behavior attended to.

Evaluating:

            The process of deciding the value of the information to the receiver.

Remembering:

             The process of placing the appropriate information into short-term or long     term storage.

Responding:

             The process of giving feedback to the source and/or other receivers.

  

Importance of Listening: -

       

       Nature gave us two ears but only one tongue, which is a gentle hint that we should listen more than we talk. Listening is a crucial part of process of communication. Communication cannot take place until and unless a message is heard and retained thoroughly and positively by the receivers/listeners. Listening implies decoding (i.e. translating the symbols into meaning) and interpreting the message correctly in communication process. Listening is important because it helps us to learn and to understand. Usually, a person who listens properly is able to react appropriately to a particular situation or towards a particular person.

Importance of listening

Types of Listening

        Basically, there are four types of listening:-

Active listening:-

Active listening is a structured form of listening and responding that focuses the attention on the speaker. The listener must take care to attend to the speaker fully, and then repeats, in the listener=s own words, what he or she thinks the speaker has said. The listener does not have to agree with the speaker--he or she must simply state what they think the speaker said. This enables the speaker to find out whether the listener really understood. If the listener did not, the speaker can explain some more.

How to become an Active Listener? :-

There are five key elements of active listening. They all help to ensure that you hear the other person, and the other person realizes that you are hearing what he/she says.

1. Pay Attention

Give the speaker your undivided attention, and acknowledge the message. Recognize that non-verbal communication also "speaks" loudly.

·         Look at the speaker directly.

·         Don't mentally prepare a rebuttal!

·         Avoid being distracted by environmental factors. For example, side conversations.

·         "Listen" to the speaker's body language.

2. Show That You're Listening

Use your own body language and gestures to convey your attention.

·         Nod occasionally.

·         Smile and use other facial expressions.

·         Note your posture and make sure it is open and inviting.

·         Encourage the speaker to continue with small verbal comments like yes, and uh huh.

3. Provide Feedback

Our personal filters, assumptions, judgments, and beliefs can distort what we hear. As a listener, your role is to understand what is being said. This may require you to reflect what is being said and ask questions.

·         Reflect what has been said by paraphrasing. "What I'm hearing is," and "Sounds like you are saying," are great ways to reflect back.

·         Ask questions to clarify certain points. "What do you mean when you say." "Is this what you mean?"

·         Summarize the speaker's comments periodically.

4. Defer Judgment

Interrupting is a waste of time. It frustrates the speaker and limits full understanding of the message.

·         Allow the speaker to finish each point before asking questions.

·         Don't interrupt with counter arguments.

5. Respond Appropriately

Active listening is a model for respect and understanding. You are gaining information and perspective. You add nothing by attacking the speaker or otherwise putting him or her down.

·         Be candid, open, and honest in your response.

·         Assert your opinions respectfully.

·         Treat the other person in a way that you think he or she would want to be treated.

Passive Listening:-

Some listeners ignore both the speaker and the message. Such listening is known as passive listening. Passive listener seems as if he/she is listening but he allows his mind to travel elsewhere. He is mentally absent from the communication atmosphere. He does not try to retain the audio message. This is the opposite of active listening, which is where a person is reacting to what they are hearing and it shows they understand and are listening. Examples of passive listening signs are sitting still, not responding, and not showing recognition that a person has heard or understood what is being said.

Selective Listening:-

In such type of listening, the listener uses his own frame of references to analyze the speakers’ message. Listener has his own set of requirement of information’s or interests and according to these factors, he ignores or retains the speakers’ message.

Marginal Listening:-

Marginal Listening is to listen something that is not one's primary focus of attention (e.g., listening to a radio in the background while working). During periods of marginal listening, a listener exhibits blank stares, nervous mannerisms, and gestures that annoy the prospect and cause communication barriers

Evaluative listening:-

Evaluative listening requires more concentration and attention to the speaker’s words. At this level, the listener actively tries to hear what the speaker says but doesn’t make any effort to understand the intent. Instead of accepting and trying to understand a speaker’s message, the evaluative listener concentrates on preparing a response. Evaluative listening is used most of the time.