Effective Listening free essay sample

Effective Listening Business Communication COM/285 Effective Listening Communication encompasses four basic types: reading, writing, speaking, and listening (Covey, 2004). The ability to master them well is crucial to be effective (2004). Whereas the first three are taught at school as separate courses, little to none is known for trainings regarding listening. Communication is a two-way process and listening is an important part of communication. Without a listener the receiver- there is no communication. There is only the speaker the message conveyor. The subjects to explore in this paper are the importance of effective listening , the various types of listeners, effective versus ineffective listening, and effective listening skills for business professionals. Importance of Effective Listening As a major component of communication, listening skills are crucial in achieving success in the business environment. Listening alone however, is not sufficient. It also requires remembering, understanding and responding to the message conveyed – all important elements of effective listening. We will write a custom essay sample on Effective Listening or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Effective listening is important in building trust within and outside of organizations. It reduces errors and saves valuable resources. It also promotes customer and employee satisfaction, which could lead to boost in productivity. Moreover, it improves business relationships. Types of Listeners Adler and Elmhorst (2004) identified four listening styles: people-oriented listeners, action-oriented, content-oriented, and time-oriented listeners (2004). People-oriented listeners are those most â€Å"concerned with creating and maintaining positive relationships† (2004, p 116). They are receptive to the speaker’s feelings and moods (2004). Action-oriented listeners are those â€Å"most concerned with the task at hand† (2004, p 118). They aim to recognize details communicated, are organized and concise, and want to â€Å"get to the heart of the matter quickly† (2004, p 118). Content-oriented listeners are evaluators (2004). They focus on details and facts, are analytical, concerned with the credibility of information, and examine information from various perspectives (2004). Time-oriented listeners, on the other hand, value time. They seek short and to-the-point answers. Time focused listeners are beneficial when trying to â€Å"keep things functioning efficiently† (2004, p 119). My listening style is a balance of both action-oriented and people-oriented style. While I am focused on getting things done, I strive to build a good relationship to those I work and deal with. It is not an easy task to perform at times, because sometimes one style proves more dominant than the other. However, the application of one style depends on the situation faced at the time. Effective and Ineffective listening Effective listening is characterized by the following listening features: active and empathic listening. Ineffective listening on the other hand, is characterized by pseudo-listening – projecting the appearance of listening, but in fact, not; monopolizing – turning the communication on oneself instead of on the person talking; and selective listening – focusing and responding on particular parts that are of interest to the listener (Interpersonal Communication, n. d. ). It is also illustrated by defensive listening – perceiving the speaker’s message as personal attack; ambushing – listening for the purpose of collecting information that can be used to attack the speaker. Another characteristic is literal or insensitive listening – where the listener takes information at literally and ignoring the meanings (n. d. ). Effective Listening Skills for Business Professionals Listening is a skill that should not be taken for granted and one that requires practice. It is an essential skill required for personal and professional growth. Effective listening- the practice of active and emphatic listening, being aware of factors that potentially affect the ability to listen such as beliefs, barriers, and biases could assist in achieving this objective.