This is a great way to show your student that you're listening and build trust! It will also help you get a clear understanding of what the student is telling you. Great awareness Portia.
I'll be sure to utilize the Repeat, Rephrase, Reflect tactic while listening. I think that a student will know I'm really listening if I say things like "In other words, you feel that..." It's important to create that trust and if he/she knows you're listening, they'll know you care.
Awesome awareness, Amanda! What do you plan to do differently when you find that you're not giving someone your total attention in the future?
Through this training I have realized that just because I am a fast paced talker and action taker, not everyone is like me. I really need to make sure to give people my total attention because there have been times that I might continue working on something while talking with someone. I am certainly hearing what they are saying and also preparing my response while getting my work done but I would definitely not want that person to think for a minute that I was not listening.
I can see that you really want the other person you're in conversation with to feel that they're important to you, Ashleigh. That's wonderful. How do you think you can demonstrate your interest in the other person to let them know they're important to you?
That's great awareness to have Jason. It's great that you don't want to be assumptions in your conversations. How have you recovered when you realize that you're ready response isn't appropriate to the conversation taking place?
I need to stop multitasking when someone is talking to me. I need to genuinely take an interest in what others have to say because it's not about me, it's about them.
I try and make a effort to not start talking or think of my response till the person is done speaking. I don't want to assume the conversation is going one way and then it goe another and now I am alittle lost due to the fact that I already had a response ready.
Thank you for your honesty, Michael. My guess is that this is something many admissions professionals could work on. The great news is that you are aware of what you currently do that might limit your listening. My suggestion is to try to move from Level 1 to Level 2 or even 3 with every conversation you have professionally and personally! Practicing will help you hone your listening skills. What are some things that you'll try doing to help you transition from Level 1 to Level 2 listening.
It's important that I understand my impatience and that I have a tendecy to interrupt conversations. I feel based on this, that I have been more in level 1, internal listening, vs. level 2, focused listening. I need to work on this. It's good to know that these can be learned techniques to get better. How long does such a process take?
First, I need to recognize when a listening trap is hindering me and to avoid it. Then, I think I need to choose to consciously listen. I think some of my poor listening skills took place without my even knowing it was happening. I need to put the speaker and what they have to say first in my sphere of attention. Blocking out the distractions is something else I need to do.
I think one of the things i need to improve on as far as my listening skills are concerned, would be to just really focus on what is being said. I tend to lean in a differant direction and lose focus. Often at times someone on my team could be talking to me, and minutes later i cant remember what they had said to me. So i need to be more present and in the moment when it comes to listening. Really and truly work on getting to the level 2 and 3. Not just staying on level 1.
Ah yes, this can be difficult for sure. My sense is that in your haste to help your student, you might jump in before they've had a chance to fully explain the situation, do I have that right? This can be difficult, especially, when you're really eager to help your studnet/teacher. What might you do to help yourself slow down to ensure you respond in a way that makes sense for you and the student/teacher?
I feel that I need to not prepare my answers as the student/teacher is speaking to me. I need to slow down my process of thinking while communicating so that I can give a well thought out answer or response.
Good idea Yuk! Although it may be easier said than done, right? How will you measure your success with this new goal?
i will try to focus on the what the students are saying instead of what is going to be my next task for them
Yes, those are absolutely great things to work on, Krista. It's hard to filter out distrations and not listen to the voices in our heads though isn't it? I'm sure you will be successful though! Just being aware of when it happens is half the battle!
I will make sure that I am not thinking of my resonses while the student is talking. I will try harder to filter out distractions as well.
