Becoming a More Effective Listener

Submitted by Ashlee Crabtree

Salt Lake Community College
COMM 1010
February 11, 2015

I am not an effective listener. What I mean by that is I usually practice

mindless listening whether I mean to or not. Mindless listening is
when we react to others messages automatically and routinely,
without much mental investment (Adler, Elmhorst, and Lucas, pg.66).
I will propose ways to become a mindful listener, one who gives well
thought out responses (Adler, Elmhorst, and Lucas, pg.66). By
becoming a mindful listener, I will be more likely to have meaningful
conversations with coworkers, future employers, family members, and
friends.
Description of the Problem:
I find myself having a conversation with someone and soon after not
being able to remember the message I received from the sender. I am
a mindless listener, one who responds to the senders message without
fully decoding them (Adler, Elmhorst, and Lucas, pg. 10 & 66). This
happens to me a lot when asked a question in class. Sometimes when
a teacher asks me a question, I feel like I am on the spot and quickly
ramble out an answer. I dont take time to come up with a meaningful
answer. This makes me look unintelligent and not prepared in the
classroom. Mindless listening makes my friends and family think that
what I say is not important since I dont give meaningful responses.
Resources and Constraints:
When finding tips on becoming a better listener, I have found a lot of
great ideas in the textbook. The textbook has offered steps to listening
to understand and listening to evaluate, which can be used in day-today conversation. I can also get ideas of how to implement these steps
by watching YouTube videos on becoming a better listener. Time is
always a constraint to effective communication. I get in such a hurry
that sometimes I dont take the time to listen. I will be better off if I
take more time to have meaningful conversation.
Recommendations:
I will become a mindful listener by withholding judgment, talking and
interrupting less, asking questions, paraphrasing, and watching
nonverbal cues. If I go into a conversation and have already judged the
speaker, I wont be able to fully understand the message they are
trying to convey that is why I need to withhold judgment (Adler,
Elmhorst, and Lucas, pg. 66). I will have more meaningful conversation
and have a better understanding if I listen more and talk less. This
gives the speaker time to give me important details that I might miss if
I were talking (Adler, Elmhorst, and Lucas, pg.68). By asking sincere
questions, I will be able to gather facts and details, clarify meanings,
and have a better overall understanding of the subject (Adler,
Elmhorst, and Lucas, pg.68). By paraphrasing, I will be able to restate

the speakers message in my own way. This guarantees that I

understand the message and also clarifies any misunderstandings
(Adler, Elmhorst, and Lucas, pg.69). Finally, by watching the speakers
nonverbal cues, I will know when the speaker is excited, upset, or
frustrated about a topic. I will also be more aware of my nonverbal
cues and how I react to what the speaker is saying (Adler, Elmhorst,
and Lucas, pg.71). I will also watch YouTube videos to visually see
these steps being put into action in a real conversation.
Summary:
Mindless listening is when the receiver rambles out a response without
taking time to come up with a meaningful response. I will become a
mindful listener by withholding judgment, talking and interrupting less,
asking questions, paraphrasing, and watching nonverbal cues. By
implementing these steps into my conversations I will be more
knowledgeable and build strong, lasting relationships in the workplace,
school, and with family and friends. I will give quality feedback that
shows that I care about what the speaker is saying while also shows
that I am intelligent. I look forward to implementing these steps into
my communication habits and seeing how I have better quality
conversations.
Works Cited:
Adler, R & J. Elmhorst.(2010). Communicating at Work: SLCC Custom
Edition. New York: McGraw Hill.