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Reflecting on effective listening habits
Listening is the process of receiving language through our physical ears and other able senses such as sight and smell. It involves identification of communication through speech, gestures, and smell then converting these mediums of communication into conceivable messages by use of our brain. Therefore, listening is a complex process that calls for high focus and concentration. Listening is a complex process since it happens in real-time, speech is an invisible item, and the process involves converting received signals in the form of sound and gestures into recognizable messages.
Examining my listening habits and traits in different situations, ranging from the classroom to social and formal environments, I have found myself wanting to improve in certain areas. For starters in the classroom environment, I have found myself employing several listening styles which include; content, critical, and empathic listening. These styles of listening are useful in this learning environment. However, internal barriers limit the duration of effective concentration in my listening in this environment, and thus this is an area I should work to improve. Similar to the classroom environment, situations such as debating and bargaining call for these styles of listening. With the exchange that is there in debates and bargaining, I have found myself to concentrate for much more extended periods than in the classroom situation. Other situations include; the workplace and social environments. These two almost contrast each other. The workplace calls for undivided attention and even notes taking while the social environment calls for less critical listening and more of empathic listening while looking out for non-verbal signals in my listening behavior.
In a summary analysis of my listening habits, as instructed by the short video, I would rate myself as follows in the following situations;
SITUATIONS EFFECTIVE LISTENING HABITS
- During class lectures Always
- During movie sessions Occasionally
- At work briefings and serving customers Always
- During a bargaining session Frequently
- During a debate Frequently
- During a casual social gathering event Occasionally
From the above situations, I need to improve my listening skills in the areas of bargaining, debates, and social gathering events.