Adopting basic rules for good listening

Adopting basic rules for good listening

These are:

(i) Listening with understanding
Receivers have to listen to the speaker completely and carefully to grasp the ideas. If necessary, they should ask questions for clarifications. They should be sure they understand the message fully.

(ii) Listening with an open mind
A mind is like an umbrella – it works only when it is open. Listeners have to forget their biases and prejudices and grasp new ideas even though they may conflict with theirs. The new ideas may change us a bit. Accept the change for it may be for the better.

(iii) Listening with attention
Listening means a lot of hard work by them because it implies three things:
(a) Concentrating
It means the focus should be on what the speaker says by cutting out noises and distraction from other sources. It takes both will power and energy.
(b) Relating to what is already known
By relating what people listen to with what they already know, they lay the foundation for bringing in the change. Until people learn, they do not change.
(c) Reading between the lines
Good listening means reading between the lines i.e., sensing the implications of the message. Good listeners analyze speakers‟ choice of words and phrases, observe their postures, facial expressions, tone and pitch of voice, manners, general appearances etc

(iv) Listening with empathy
Good listeners put themselves in speakers‟ place. It is making extra effort to understand speakers‟ viewpoint. It calls for imagination. Good listeners have to be attentive which is flattering to the speakers. It helps to draw out speakers from their shyness, hostility or suspicion they might have about the audience.

(v) Listening intently
Listening intently is a part of good listening. While listening, audience evaluates not only what the speaker says but also how he says it. They listen to the main idea and all the supporting details. They review all the points made and anticipate what the speaker is going to say next! They analyze the evidence and finally accept or reject speakers‟ conclusions.
Good listeners are able not only to listen intently but also reflect on words said in the spare time available (people listen 2 to 3 times faster than the rate at which they speak). Half-hearted listeners or disinterested listeners use the spare time to daydream or turn their attention elsewhere.
Good listeners use their spare time to thought processes that are closely related to what the speaker is saying. Such listening results in increased understanding and longer remembering of the message being received.

A few tips for using the spare time wisely are:

(a) Taking notes
Usually, speakers share notes that contain the major points of their speech. Good listeners grasp those main points and write them down.

(b) Rephrasing and reviewing the message
Good listeners try to retain the message by rephrasing mentally and silently. It is like taking mental notes. By the repeated practice of rephrasing, individuals can become better listeners. Similarly, listeners review the main points of the speaker. By using both the methods viz., rephrasing and reviewing, they reinforce their understanding of the subject and remember the main points of the message.

(c) Detecting bias and determining motives
A biased and prejudiced view is a partial viewpoint. In a firm, salespersons are usually determined to sell and secure the maximum share of the market. This can bring in bias among them. Good listeners should detect this bias and recognize the motive behind it. A good principle for the buyers is to be aware of such trappings in the speakers‟ messages.