Active Listening

‘We have two ears and one mouth so

that we can listen twice as much as
we speak.’
–Epictetus
Listening:
Listening is a process of receiving, interpreting
and reacting to a message received from the
speaker.

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 Meaning and Art of Listening
 Listening is very different from hearing.

 We hear numerous little sounds and noises during the

day without registering most of them.

 Listening is as important as talking.

 Good listening involves encouraging the other person.

 Be patient while listening

 Listening is becoming a lost art

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Importance
of Listening
and
Empathy
 Listening is very important in the communications process.

 We must gauge the person’s listening skills during a

conversation.

 Close relationship between speaking and listening.

 Empathy plays a very important Role in listening.

 It is very important to understand the emotions and feelings of

a person to better empathize with his/her viewpoint.

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Reasons for Poor Listening
Listening training is unavailable

Speed of thought is more than speed of speech

We are inefficient listeners

Listening versus hearing

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Poor Listening Habits

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 Listening but not hearing
 Rehearsing
 Interrupting
 Hearing what is expected
 Feeling defensive
 Listening for point of disagreement
 Labeling the subject matter uninteresting
 Criticizing the delivery or appearance of the speaker
 Becoming too stimulated
 Listening only for facts
 Trying to outline everything that is being said
Traits of a Good Listener
 Being Non-evaluative
 Paraphrasing
 Reflecting Implications
 Reflecting Hidden Feelings
 Inviting Further Contributions
 Responding Non-verbally
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Listening Modes

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Active versus Passive
Listening

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Paying attention
Dealing with distractions

‘The most important thing in communication is to listen to what isn’t

being said.’
–Peter F. Drucker

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Be mentally prepared to listen. Pay undue emphasis to the vocabulary, as you can
use the context to understand meaning.

Evaluate the speech, not the speaker. Pay too much attention to the accessories and
clothing of the speaker.

Be unbiased towards the speaker by Prepare your responses while the speaker is
depersonalizing your feelings. speaking.

Fight distractions by blocking off sound sources. Get distracted by outside influences.

Be open minded. Hold preconceptions and prejudices.

Ask questions to clarify and confirm thoughts. Concentrate too hard.

Paraphrase from time to time. Interrupt too often.

Send appropriate non verbal signals from time to Show boredom even to an uninteresting speaker.
time.
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Global versus Local Listening
Types of Listening
Appreciative Listening

Empathetic Listening

Comprehensive Listening

Critical Listening
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 Thanks!
Any Questions?

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