Communication Skills- WHAT MAKES AN GOOD LISTENER?

 Communication Skills

 

Interpersonal Communication

◦           

◦          Interpersonal communication sets in motion the interactions every person with individual; inter groups and the society.  These interactions form the basis for effective and efficient functioning of the organizations. 

◦          Interpersonal Communication is defined as the process of sharing of goal-oriented messages between two or more sources through a medium or media.

◦          Interpersonal Communication can also be defined as a process whereby understanding is achieved between individuals.

 

Management of Interpersonal Communication

 

•          Managing the interpersonal communication is an intricate job.  Listening facilitates the understanding the process of understanding the real purpose of communication and act in prudent manner.

•          Listening

•          Chartier defines Listening as an “ intellectual and emotional process that integrates Physical, emotional and intellectual inputs in a search for meaning  and understanding.

Listening

 

•          Listening is  very important component of communication process. It requires clear thinking, willing mind, patience and perseverance.  Listening is a decoding skill.  On average listening accounts for 45% of the total time spent on verbal communication. 

•          According to Augusta M. Simon “  Listening builds relationships, enhances product delivery alerts the organization to innovation from both internal and external sources and allows the organization to manage growing diversity both in the workforce and in the customer service.”

Nature of Listening

 

            According to Lesikar “ Listening consist of sensing, filtering and remembering.  Sensing is the ability of individuals to sense sound and their mental concentration.  The second stage of listening is filtering.  It is the process understanding communication symbols.  In the filtering process, the contents of the mind serve as a sort of filter through which the receiver gives meaning to incoming messages.  Remembering what we hear is the third activity involved in listening.  The studies indicate though people forget most of the messages, they remember around 25% of what they have listened even after two days. 

 

•          Lesikar believes the following guidelines may be helpful in mental preparation for active listening.

 

•          Give attention to activities of sensing and develop commitment to improve.

•          Make effort and pay attention to words spoken.

•          Improve accuracy of filtering through conscious effort.

•          Concentrate on remembering

 

Ten Commandments of Listening

 

1.   Stop talking while listening.
2.   Put the talker at ease.
3.   Show the talker that you want to listen.
4.   Remove distractions.
5.   Emphasize with the talker.
6.   Be patient.
7.   Hold you temper.
8.   Go easy on argument and criticism.
9.   Ask question to yourself.
10.   Stop talking  and set the mind on the task.

Prerequisites for a Good Listening

 

            At times we hear the person is physically present he man not possess the right mindset to understand the message in its true sprit.  Certain prerequisite for good listening are:-

1. Positive Reception.
2. Attentiveness.
3. Interaction.
4. Devoid of prejudices.

 

Listening Process

 

•          The process of listening consists of five related activities which occur candidly during every communication

 

•          Receiving

•          Assessing

•          Interpreting

•          Remebering

•          Evaluating.

•          Responding

 

Listening and Hearing

 

  Listening is different from hearing.    In hearing the receiver just lends his ear

 for receiving the words and sounds whereas  in listening he perceives the message as 

 intended by the sender.

            For Example:-  We hear music where we do not involve much in understanding the context.

            The capability of the listener, his involvement in the communication, motivation, subject knowledge, language skill and other factors determine the level of listening.

 

            The difference between listening and hearing is one of the main reasons why we often fail to listen and then effectively communicate.  While an average speaking rate is 100 to 200 words  per minute, an average listener’s ability to process message is approximately 400 words per minute.  This substantial divergence between  the spoken and the assimilated words often leads to distractions in the mind swinging between listening and assimilating while also wandering towards distracting elements.

 

Barriers to Listening

 

1. Preconceived Notions.
2. Egocentricity.
3. Selective listening.
4. Preoccupation in other activities.
5. Lack of interest.
6. Fear.
7. Familiarity Trap
8. Stress

 

How you can be  Good Listener?

 

            WHAT MAKES AN GOOD LISTENER?

            An good listener is serious about the whole process of communication. He/She pays attention to the speaker’s stance, perspective, point of view, bias and prejudices. He/She is intensely involved in the interaction and expends maximum energy to have full comprehension of the subject matter. through their eye contact, receptive body language, and appropriate facial expressions and nonverbal affirmations, they make the speakers feel delivering message to them a pleasing and pleasurable experience. 

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