Listening and Communication
Listening for Understanding.
Communication is a two-way street. In addition to speaking clearly, the effective communicator is a good listener. Listening involves not only hearing the speaker’s words. But also understanding the message and its importance to the speaker.
Listening is one of a supervisor’s biggest challengers, impacted by many factors. To overcome
barriers to effective listening.
The following are the tips for improving your listening ability.
1.Develop an attitude of wanting to listen.
2.Focus your attention on understanding the other person’s meaning, not on formulating your response.
3.Show the speaker that you are listening.
4.Use open-ended questions to open up communication.
5.Use paraphrasing to ensure understanding.
6.Summarize conversations to ensure understanding and provide closure.
Research has consistently shown that communication ability is the characteristic judged by supervisors and managers to be most critical in determining promo ability. A manager’s number one challenge can be summed up in one word communication.
There are certain aspects of Communication that impact our day-to-day lives.
1.No matter how hard one tries, one cannot avoid communicating.
2.Communicating does not necessarily mean understanding.
3.Communication is irreversible.
4.Communication is affected by physical and social settings.
5.Communication is dynamic.
To work your way around these barriers, consider the following ideas :
1.Think through what you want to say before you say it.
2.Once you have made your point, ask each listener for feedback.
3.Speak clearly and concisely.
4.Speak with enthusiasm and expressiveness.
5.Develop a natural and informal style.
