overcoming Barriers to effective Listening 5.2 71
Prejudice
Your buddy is a staunch Democrat. During the broadcast of a speech by the Re-
publican governor of your state, he constantly argues against the governor’s
suggestions. The next day, he is surprised to see editorials in the press praising
the governor’s speech. “Did they hear the same speech I did?” your friend won-
ders. Yes, they heard the same speech, but they listened differently. When you
prejudge a message, your ability to understand it decreases.
Another way to prejudge a speech is to decide that the topic has little value
for you before you even hear the message. Most of us at one time or another
have not given our full attention to a speech because we decided beforehand
that it was going to bore us.
Sometimes we make snap judgments about a speaker based on his or her
appearance and then fail to listen because we dismiss the speaker’s ideas in
advance as inconsequential or irrelevant. Female speakers often complain that
males in the audience do not listen to them as attentively as they would to an-
other male; members of ethnic and racial minorities may feel slighted in a simi-
lar way.
On the flip side, some people too readily accept what someone says just be-
cause they like the way the person looks, sounds, or dresses. For example, Tex
believes that anyone with a Texas drawl must be an honest person. Such positive
prejudices can also inhibit your ability to listen accurately to a message. Use the
tips in the How To box to help you overcome your prejudices.Minimize Outside Distractions
As a listener- Control your own distractions. Sit where you can’t see out the door or window. Keep your
(silenced) phone in your bag. Consider moving to another seat if people near you are talking or
a rude mobile phone user continues to text. - Help the speaker manage the environment. You might need to close the blinds, turn up the
heat, turn off the lights, close the door, or do whatever is necessary to minimize distractions.
As a speaker- Empathize with your listeners. Before your speech, sit where your audience will be seated, and
look for possible distractions. Then do the best you can to reduce or eliminate those distrac-
tions. - Try to control the physical arrangement of the speaking situation. Rearrange seating if you can,
close windows and window shades; turn off blinking fluorescent lights; tactfully try to discour-
age whispering or phone use in the audience.
HOW TO
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