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Active ListeningTips and
Techniques
SEIS 605 Technical Communication
Active Listening
Part 1:From the
Alred Handbook
SEIS 605 Technical Communication
Active Listening
SEIS 605 Technical Communication
Steps to ensure you listen actively:
1. Consciously decide to listen actively.
2. Define your purpose for listening.
3. Take specific actions to listen more effectively.
4. Adapt to the situation.
Active Listening
SEIS 605 Technical Communication
Consciously decide to listen actively:
• Simply make up your mind that you will listen actively.
• Active listening requires a conscious effort.
• “Seek first to understand, and then to be understood.”
Active Listening
SEIS 605 Technical Communication
Define your purpose for listening (Part 1 of 2):
• Important for keeping your attention from drifting.
• Important for avoiding formulating your response while the speaker is still talking.
• Important for ensuring you don’t interrupt the speaker.
Active Listening
SEIS 605 Technical Communication
Define your purpose for listening (Part 2 of 2):
Ask yourself . . .• “What information do I hope to get, and how will I
use it?”• “What message do I want to send while I listen
(e.g., understanding, flexibility, competence)?”• “How can I keep present factors (e.g., boredom,
anger) from interfering with my ability to listen?”
Active Listening
SEIS 605 Technical Communication
Take specific actions to listen more effectively:
• Make a conscious effort to be impartial.
• Slow the communication by asking for clarifications or by paraphrasing the message.
• Put yourself in the speaker’s position.
• TAKE NOTES.
Active Listening
SEIS 605 Technical Communication
Adapt to the situation:
• The requirements for active listening are different for each situation.
• Listening for information (e.g., a lecture) involves less engagement.
• Listening for a team project requires a high level of engagement (e.g., subtleties, hidden opportunities).
Active Listening
Part 2:From the
Anderson Textbook
SEIS 605 Technical Communication
Active Listening
SEIS 605 Technical Communication
• Give everyone a chance to speak—If someone is quiet, ask for his or her ideas.
• Let each speaker finish—Hold your thoughts until the speaker has finished hers.
• Focus on ideas—Be sure you understand what the person is saying.
Active Listening
SEIS 605 Technical Communication
• Ask for clarification and elaboration—Before responding with your comment or idea, make sure you have the complete picture of the speaker’s points.
• Show that you are paying attention—If you agree with the speaker, say things such as, “That’s interesting,” “I hadn’t thought of that,” or even “Uh-huh.”
Active Listening
SEIS 605 Technical Communication
• Look at the speaker—Eye contact appears more friendly and attentive than not using eye contact.
• Refrain from distracting gestures—Speakers are often uncomfortable when listeners use nervous gestures such as cleaning their fingernails, drumming their fingers, or holding their hands over their mouths.
Active Listening
SEIS 605 Technical Communication
Review (from Alred Handbook):
1. Consciously decide to listen actively. 2. Define your purpose for listening. 3. Take specific actions to listen more effectively. 4. Adapt to the situation.
Active Listening
SEIS 605 Technical Communication
Review (from Anderson textbook 1 of 2):
• Give everyone a chance to speak. • Let each speaker finish. • Focus on ideas. • Ask for clarification and elaboration.
Active Listening
SEIS 605 Technical Communication
Review (from Anderson textbook 2 of 2):
• Show that you are paying attention. • Look at the speaker. • Refrain from distracting gestures.
Active Listening
SEIS 605 Technical Communication
Discussion and questions
