176 Part 1 Basic Communication Processes
your listening to the situational, cultural, or relational context? What can you
learn from this successful listening experience to guide you in future listening
challenges?- Practice listening with your eyes as discussed in this chapter. When you go to
your next class, observe your instructor or whoever is speaking. Form an overall
impression of the speaker from nonverbal cues such as body movements, eye
behavior, and tone of voice. What emotions do they suggest? Do they match the
verbal message being conveyed? - As you become a more critical listener, inquire about inconsistencies when you
observe them in conversation. For example, if your friend offers you verbal and
nonverbal messages that contradict each other, let him or her know. Be careful
to avoid being defensive here. Instead of saying, “You’re sending me mixed mes-
sages,” say, “I’m confused about what you mean. You said you were happy with
the decision, but you frowned and sighed at the same time.” - Practice listening styles that are less familiar to you. Some people don’t para-
phrase well; others are uncomfortable being person-centered. The best way to
try this out is to look back at the chapter and think about the discussions that
made you feel uncomfortable (“I could never do that”). Then give it a try in a
context that might benefit you. For example, if you tend to be an empathic,
person-centered listener in group meetings and your meetings always run late
because of it, try being a more time-centered or action-centered listener. - Keep a log of how you “listen” with technology. Is it easier—or more difficult—
for you to select, attend, remember, understand, and respond? Compare your
experiences with friends. Do some of your friends or family prefer the technology
or do they value face-to-face listening more?