The Power of Listening

What is Listening?

• the process of receiving, constructing meaning from, and responding to spoken and/or nonverbal messages; to hear something with thoughtful attention.

• the process of speaking and responding to messages

• the process of writing and responding to messages

• the process of seeing and responding to messages

Listening vs. Hearing

• physical process; natural; passive

• physical & mental process; active; learned process; a skill

• only a mental process

• only a physical process

Fast Facts

Percentage of Time We Spend on Each Type of Communication

Listening is the most powerful form of acknowledgment

Why Be A Good Listener?

• To be recognized and remembered

• To feel valued

• To feel appreciated

• All of the above

Barriers to Listening

• Uninteresting Topics

• Speaker’s Delivery

• Distractions

• All of the above

Bad Listening Habits

• Criticizing the subject or the speaker

• Listening only for facts

• Not taking notes OR outlining everything

• All of the above

Active Listening Skills

Active Listening (3 Steps)