Climate essay

The following paper explains the importance of active listening in the workplace. It also explains how supportive and defensive climates can improve relations in the workplace.

Active listening in the workplace Active listening involves being present in every conversation you have. Listening with undivided attention communicates respect for the person with whom you are speaking. There is a big difference between hearing and listening. For example if the person responds “I hear you” but their body language shows they are not. Hearing is a physical ability that the ears receive feelings and transmit them to the brain while listening is a skill. Listening skills allow one to make sense of what another person is saying. Active listening is not always embraced in the workplace because there is such a premium value placed on multitasking. Active listening is important in all situations where people are communicating with each other. In the workplace active listening allows employers to understand their employees and create a workplace that is responsive to employee needs. For example in service industries, active listening allows service providers to better understand what customer expectations are and meet those expectations. Active listeners let people know they care about what is being said and help the speaker articulate the true meaning of their thoughts and the true source of their feelings. The active listener seeks to understand and remember what is being said, evaluates and interprets what they hear, and communicates understanding by reflecting back to the speaker in an empathetic manner. For example teachers who practice active listening connect with their students and engage them in the participatory aspects of learning. Active listening promotes understanding and sends the message to students that they are important. When students