Chapter 7 – Developer
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Covey (1989) also discusses several aspects of listening. For example:
- Ignoring, this is obvious.
- Pretending, this usually involves hearing but not processing the information.
- Selective listening, this involves processing only parts of the message.
- Attentive listening involves paying attention and focusing on what you are hearing.
Empathetic Listening
Empathetic listening involves listening with the intent to fully experience the message
and the other person's feelings. This means taking on board all the emotional and non-
verbal signals that accompany communication. You often find yourself in harmony with
the other person.
Active Listening
Active listening is the same as attentive listening with the added components of
paraphrasing, checking and summarising. In other words, actively working on ensuring
you have heard the correct message.
Activity
Think about the situations involving listening that you are involved in regularly
and occasionally as Academic Coordinator, e.g., formal and informal meetings
with groups and individual staff and students.In which of these and under what circumstances do you engage in ignoring,
pretending, and selective listening?In which of these and under what circumstances do you engage in attentive,
active, and empathetic listening?Write about these in your journal.