There are times when I am feeling the pressure of a busy day and stop listening because of all I need to accomplish. I want to move on to the next item on the list. However, everyone deserves the best of me as I want in a reverse situation.
Matthew, that is a good point. There is this concept of "cognitive intrusion" that goes hand in hand with what you are talking about - basically, we are too busy to think and listen. Now that you are aware of this limitation, what is your plan moving forward?
Dr. Jean Norris
I think another one of the things that limits our listening is the "busyness" and chaos of the day. In my position, stationed at the front desk in a very visible place, I get a lot of traffic at my desk. It's easy to let the line of people, ringing phones, or piled up paperwork cause you to focus on getting on to the next task or how much needs to be done. While it's important to work efficiently, it's also important to be mindful of the fact that we should never let the stress of our day affect the quality of service we give to students, especially in terms of active listening. We should always strive to use good listening and communication skills. Our students should never know how busy and stressful our day is; they should always feel like we have the time to give them and are genuinely listening to their needs.
Cid,
You aren't alone. This happens to a lot of people. It really comes down to a CHOICE. You can keep doing what you've always done however you may be able to reach MORE students if you do something differently. Maybe give it a try?
Dr. Jean Norris
Cid,
Hmmm...Good question. Sometimes a summary of what the person said is enough to confirm that you've heard them and then you can move the conversation onto another topic. Also keep in mind that a long-winded answer could be a result of the question that was asked. Perhaps using words to hone in the response such as "specifically" or "in the past year" might help focus them to a narrowing topic and thereby a shorter response?
Dr. Jean Norris
Is very hard for me to close the door of the first step of the levels of listening "Internal Listening". When I'm on the phone, I just think about everything I need to do at home and all the work that I have to accomplish before leaving work. Is not easy to put a stop to the recording machine that is on my head.
What can I do when the receiver starts talking their entire life and my time is limit? How can I do the transition from the receiver life story to my point?
Well,I have learned to listen and sometimes hear.When you hear someone saying or telling you something or answering a question or participating in a chat you are not really paying attention.Listening is the art of interacting and preparing yourself to express yourself towards what they want to hear from you.So there are moments in which you already know what they expecting to clarify or be informed and you gently, smartly interrupt before they finish and you go straight to the point.
Eileen, that is great awareness. Now that you have this insight, what is your plan to focus on the student?
Dr. Jean Norris
I agree with you guys. Sometimes I limit my listening as well by thinking of a solution for the person problems without he/she was done explaining. I need to learn how to focus entirely on them so I can have a better solution and be able to help them.
Dan,
So it definitely sounds like something you are aware of and have the ability to turn off/on, is that right?
Dr. Jean Norris
I feel the same. There is so much information I am trying to give the student, that I am not realizing that I am not listening deeply. Seems to be different depending on the time or if I have other things on my mind that I need to get done. When I feel as if I have the time to be a deep listener, I definetly am. It is something I am trying to work on so that the person I am communicating with knows that I really am listening to them.
Milagros,
Great awareness! This happens to all of us! Now tthat you are aware you do this, what can you do to prevent it?
Dr. Jean Norris
I limit my listening by not being able to focus in the conversation and by thinking to much in formulated my next question .
Maria, interesting point. Can you explain a little further regarding your time limitations?
Dr. Jean Norris
time limits us and these things sometimes have to overcome to become good listeners
Thomas, I appreciate your honesty here. The first step of improving is the awareness of the issue. I like that your plan includes focused and global listening. So now you can put your plan into practice. Let us know how everything turns out.
Dr. Jean Norris
I am guilty of multitasking and listening to solve the problem. Possibly because of the fact that I have been in the industry so long I sometimes feel as if I already know the answer or I have see this issue before. I have to increase my Hard focused listening and my global listening to be more consistent.
Patty,
Excellent awareness. It can be difficult to keep your listening focused when the topic shifts and seems unrelated to what you are discussing. Knowing that this is one of your listening limitations is the first step. Now the question becomes, what will you do the next time this happens to keep yourself focused on what the other person has to say?
Shannon Gormley
I think I limit listening limitation whenever the subject goes off topic.
