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Barriers To Active Listening

The document discusses barriers to active listening. Some of the key barriers mentioned include: 1. Societal expectations that leaders should do most of the talking rather than listening. 2. The assumption that silence implies agreement rather than allowing for different viewpoints. 3. External pressures and daily demands that make it hard to slow down and focus on listening. 4. A lack of emphasis on listening skills development compared to public speaking skills.

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69 views24 pages

Barriers To Active Listening

The document discusses barriers to active listening. Some of the key barriers mentioned include: 1. Societal expectations that leaders should do most of the talking rather than listening. 2. The assumption that silence implies agreement rather than allowing for different viewpoints. 3. External pressures and daily demands that make it hard to slow down and focus on listening. 4. A lack of emphasis on listening skills development compared to public speaking skills.

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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Barriers to Active

Listening
Effective Listening
Barriers of to Active Listening
 Most of us would see some of the skills and
behaviours associated with active listening as
basic courtesy.
 Not interrupting
 Other active listening skills (such as asking
clarifying questions) are less familiar.
1. The Image of Leadership
 Societies value leaders who are action oriented,
charismatic, visionary, and directive, the
expectation is that leaders should have the
answers, call the shots and DO ALL THE
TALKING.
 Emphasis on the performance of leaders cuts into
their ability to be quiet and listen.
 Leaders believe they listen just as much as they
talk.
 Studies show they do 80% of talking in their
interactions with others.
2. Silence as Agreement
 Listening quietly can be confused with agreement
or acceptance of the other’s ideas and perspective.
 When one disagrees or has additional ideas and
information, one may be quick to debate or
respond.
 Active listening allows different viewpoints to be
aired and assessed.
 No discount or hold back of opinion or objections
should take place.
 Instead, allow sufficient time to learn, uncover
assumptions and seek clarity (with an open mind)
when listening.
3. External Pressure
A volatile, uncertain, complex, or ambiguous
environment makes it tempting not to listen.
 The daily demands one faces make it difficult for
us to slow down, focus, inquire, and listen.
 One of the critical skills for dealing with uncertain
conditions is to actively solicit information and
make sense of it.
4. Lack of Know-How
 Listening is a neglected communication skill.
 Much of the emphasis on communication is about
how to effectively “get your message out”.
 Less effort is made to ensure that we accurately
receive the message of others.
5. Individual Makeup
 An individual’s
 experience (whether accustomed to working
collaboratively or independently)
 Personality (action driven, impatient, talk oriented,
or reserved)

may create barriers to active listening.


6. Time and Place
 Listening is particularly challenging when you
aren’t in the same room with those with whom you
are working / communicating.
 Problems with telephone calls and video conferences
are
 Impersonal / detached
 Nonverbal cues are missing
 Technology may be distracting
 The lure of multitasking is strong

 Active listening is definitely crucial with the


advancement of technology and our dependence on it
in our daily lives .
7. Emotion
 When people express strong feelings, it may be
tempting to reach quickly or passionately.
 It’s better to use active listening to
 Ease tensions
 Address conflict
 Find common ground for solving problems
 Low-grade emotions can also make it difficult to
listen well.
 When one is negotiating / communicating with
someone one doesn’t respect, it may be a particular
challenge to listen without
 Judging
 To be patient
 Emotionsare always going to play a role in
communication, an active listener is able to
manage his/her feelings and help others to manage
theirs.
8. Cultural Differences
 The way we work, communicate and listen is
deeply connected to our cultural backgrounds.
 Routine or natural behaviours can be
misinterpreted and can create unexpected
problems when we are communicating with others
whose cultural backgrounds are different from
ours.
 Most of us are culturally biased.
 While active listening may allow us to be better
communicate in culturally diverse settings, it is
important to be mindful of our own assumptions
and interpretations.
How to Improve Your Listening
Skills: Suggestions
Case 1
I sit behind my desk, accept phone calls, shuffle
papers, or otherwise communicate by my activities
or gestures that I am not fully attentive.
Case 2
I have a hard time concentrating on what is being
said.
Case 3
I am annoyed when someone slows me down.

Case 4
I think about what I want to say next rather than
about what the other person is saying.
Case 5
I don’t like it when someone questions my ideas of
actions.

Case 6
I interrupt or show signs of impatience as I wait for
the other person to finish talking.
Case 7
I give advice too soon; I suggest courses of action
or solutions to problems before the other person has
fully explained his / her perspective.

Case 8
I tell people not to feel the way they do.
Case 9
I sense that people seem upset after talking to me.

Case 10
I tend to talk significantly more than the other
person talks.

Case 11
I make it a point to fill any silences.
More Problems
12. I am uncomfortable … when the other person
expresses emotions.
13. I have a hard time understanding what people are
trying to say.
14. I avoid asking any questions that would
encourage …
15. I ask questions for which I already have the
answers.
16. I expect yes or no answers.
17. I frequently lose track of where the conversation
is going.
18. I have a hard time remembering what has been
said…
19. I frequently discover that things … don’t get
done.
20. I avoid having things repeated, by the other
person or myself.
21. I keep my thoughts to myself.
22. I keep my feelings to myself.
23. I avoid sharing personal experiences.
24. I try hard not to let the other person know…

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