Listening and Verbal Communication
Cristina Gonzalez
XCOM/200
October 19, 2014

Listening and Verbal Communication

Knowing how to properly communicate with people includes being a good listener. Listening to others is a skill that requires practice and a lot of effort. Listening is more than just standing there and looking at the other person; it’s being able to fully understand their message, and where they are trying to go with it. As humans we spend more than half our time listening to others, it’s a very important social skill and one that is much needed in the working world. I consider myself a selective listener. It’s definitely not by choice it simply happens. I remember back in high school I always had a hard time listening to my teachers, especially if the topic wasn’t “interesting enough”. In fact it still happens to me at work during meeting or seminars. My biggest problem has always been spacing out. Although I make eye contact with the speaker my thoughts always tend to go elsewhere. One of my biggest barriers has always been thinking I knew the answer to whatever it was that the teacher or speaker is saying; therefore I didn’t feel the need to actually listen. My second biggest barrier has always been red flag words “Words can provoke a reaction in the listener that wasn't necessarily what the speaker intended” (Michael Webb, 2006). Whenever this happens it becomes more difficult for me to listen and stay focused. I tend to jump to conclusions, or even worse I tend to interrupt and say what is on my mind. Both barriers have always been a major issue for me at work, at home, and with friends. It is definitely something I need to work on. Thinking that I know the answer, or thinking that I know is what the person is going to say has gotten many people upset with me in the past. I’ve actually lost friends over time because of these