Great awareness Charlotte. It sounds like you know what your listening limits are and your plan is to focus on your customer - in this case, your student to try to get away from those distractions. Do I have that right? Keep us posted on your results. Good luck!
Shannon Gormley
I limit my listening because I'm thinking about the next question or what I'm going to say next. I also limit my listening because of to many distractions, Phones ringing, noise... I can overcome this by focusing on what the student is saying.
Brian,
I love the "sticky note" reminders! You're right - having those reminders visible can help you make it a habit. Good luck as you work to improve your listening skills.
Shannon Gormley
My initial thought to prevent this in the future is actually very simple. Make it become a part of my DNA, a habit. Writing little quick, sticky note, reminders placed for only me to see. After I practive this level of listening over 30 days or so it will become habit.
Brian,
Excellent awareness! When you have the opportunity to work with people in the capacity that you do, it can seem like some stories (and even students) are the same. Understanding that this mindset actually limits your ability to truly understand the students unique sitation is so important. This awareness will allow you to identify times when you may be limiting your listening in this way and adapt to change your listening style. I'm curious, what might you do to prevent this listening limitation in the future?
Shannon Gormley
I think that I have heard it all before so I tend to close out global thinking. With this course, I realized that I may not have heard all of it as not every student is the same. Yes, at times it may sound similar to another situation but in reality there may be one piece that I will miss. That one piece could be the key to what the student needs in order to make the best decision for them.
I have already started using more open ended questioning. Also, spreading out my schedule to allow for the tour to last longer has helped out as far as today is concerned.
Understanding your limitations is the first step in making improvements. What are some of the ways that you think you can remove assumptions while getting to know your students, Zachary?
I am often times guilty of letting repetitive conversation divert my focus. By removing my assumptions, and really getting to know the student, I can make forward strides to eliminating my faults as a listener.
Great insight, Diana. You're right, these days it seems like so many are having to do more with less. Being aware of your distractions is an important place to start. Once you know what your key distractors are you can address them. I agree with you, it is okay to have ideas for how to progress in your meeting and that plan can be so much more effective if you can customize the information you give based on what you've heard from the other person.
Like the other comments already submitted, distractions tend to be the most common. We are all trying to do more with less. I do my best to remove distractions when I have a face to face meeting (ie, put phone on do not disturb, do not take cell phone into meeting, etc.) and focus on the purpose of the meeting. It's ok to have ideas laid out in your mind about how you want the meeting to progress, however, be open to the other person(s) input.
Thanks for sharing, Jason. It sounds like you've found an effective way to help keep you on track and focused in what your student is telling you. Keep it up!
I often limit my listening by trying to think of an answer to a problem the student has or question before they are even done speaking.
I have found that writing down answers, which all our reps are trained to do now, helps stay focused on the conversation at hand and really slows me down (in a good way).
Well to start of, I will make sure that all other things will be put aside and devote all of my attention on the person in front of me. All other things will be taken care of after the orientation.
Excellent observation, Duy. What specifically will you do to avoid distractions and focus on the person in front of you?
I seem to be side tracked with other things going on and I really need to focus on the person in front of me.
That's great awareness to have, Kate. When you work with students everyday all day it can be difficult to remind ourselves that everyone has a unique set of circumstances. Being aware of your limitations actually gives you the power to do something differently the next time you catch yourself anticipating the students answer. What might you do in that moment?
I believe that I limit my listening most by "trying" to anticipate responses. I am working to hear people out and not cut them off by trying to finish sentences. I think I frustrate people when I do this and it keeps them from opening up. While I do lean forward, nodding and acknowledging everything they say with enthusiasm, I still have some work to do as far as keeping quiet.
What a great awareness to have, Brian. I hope that you find that these tools do increase your effectiveness as a listener.
I would say that I limit my listening when my mind is distracted dealing with other issues. There have been times when I am in a conversation but my internal voice is trying to figure out another issue.
I think by utilizing some of the tools learned in this module I will become a more effective listener.
