Premium Essay

Effective Listening in the Workplace

In:

Submitted By jbernier
Words 2911
Pages 12
EFFECTIVE LISTENING IN THE WORKPLACE
Jeff Bernier

Abstract

“Listening is perhaps the most critical element in language and language learning, for it is the key to speaking, and beyond that, reading and writing. At all levels --- from entry level to managerial --- listening is perceived as crucial for communication. Yet listening remains one of the least understood processes in language learning” (Allene Grognet and Carol Van Duzer, 2002, p. 1). The ability to listen to employees and colleagues is an essential skill for developing a productive environment. By improving listening skills, supervisors and employees can create a “listening environment” within their own organization. This study examines the relationship between University of Southern Maine (USM) personal that feel they have effective listening skills and USM personal that had training in effective listening skills. The subjects were 182 USM employees surveyed to determine effective listening in the workplace. Each USM employee surveyed identified themselves as either an “employee” or “supervisor”, the number of years employed and answered either “yes” or “no” to ten various questions on effective listening in the workplace. Results showed strong, positive relationships among the two dependent variables in effective listening in the workplace.

Hypothesis

USM employees who feel they have effective listening skills as determined by the survey conducted at USM have a positive relationship with USM employees surveyed that have been trained in effective listening skills.
Ha: There is a relationship between USM personal that feel they have effective listening skills and USM personal that have been trained in effective listening skills.
The null hypothesis is stated:
Ho: No relationship between USM personal that feel they have effective listening skills and USM personal that have been

Similar Documents

Free Essay

Effective Workplace Communication

...Listening and Effective Workplace Communication James Humes, a former presidential speech writer, stated that, "the art of communication is the language of leadership" (Leading Thoughts, 2010). Communication is an essential process that is common in the workplace.  Everyone in the workplace especially leaders must communicate with others.  Ideas, conversations, disagreements, and commitments can all be exchanged through communication.  Anyone can communicate but it takes discipline and skills to effectively communicate.   These skills can include feedback, presentation, non-verbal communication, and listening. Listening is the most valuable skills to effective workplace communication because it enhances job effectiveness, relationships and responses. Most people equate hearing with listening and they do not take time to improve their listening skills. To be an effective communicator a person must understand the differences between hearing and listening. Listening is an active process that requires more effort than it takes to hear. “Listening is the conscious desire to determine the meaning of what is heard” (Behera, 2010). Hearing a message rather than listening could cause a person to agree to something that they did not intend to. An active listener participates in the communication process by being focused on the message that is being communicated. The in-depth process of listening will result in a verbal or non-verbal response to let the communicator know that...

Words: 1325 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Managing Workplace Relationship, Conflict and Negotiation Skills Include Effective Communication

...Main Topic: Managing Workplace relationship, conflict and negotiation skills include effective communication. Building relationships within the workplace According to Harbour S. (2015) establishing and maintaining good working relationships is the key to a positive workplace. Effective businesses encourage the development of positive relationships between managers and employees as well as amongst coworkers. It is imperative to create a clear and concise company mission statement and distribute a copy of the statement to each employee, so that they can be clear on exactly what is expected of them and the intended goal of the business they represent. Teamwork should be encouraged through formal and informal team-building activities. Management could always arrange a company-oriented outing, such as fun days consisting of activities such as tug a war or cricket, or involve the office in a team-based charitable activity. Good relationships in the workplace thrive when individuals feel part of a team and comfortable with their teammates.  The need for two way communication should be encouraged, as this would boost staff morale. The better and more effectively persons communicate with those around them, the richer the work relationships will be. All good relationships depend on open, honest communication. Managers should always reward great work as quickly as possible, and address problems or concerns immediately. Acknowledge staff members publicly with written or...

Words: 1677 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Laura and Jim

...Effective Communication in the Workplace Sarel Hines Introduction to Business Carol Jacobs January 31, 2016 Introduction Effective communication in the workplace can save a lot time and frustration. Communication in the workplace can be where mistakes can be prevented and chaotic situations can be avoided. Listening skills and speaking skills can be effective as well. Listening it can be issues in communication between two people and also in emails. This skill is an absolute must, because you can miss something important and it effect people that are involve due to miscommunication. Listening skills deems to be very important in order to adapt to changes in technology and languages. Speaking skills can be effective as well due to you do not want people thinking other things or taking it out of context, especially if you saying something else or on an entirely different conversation. A person must understand what you are saying to them whether you are speaking or just listening. This is a very important skill to have without it you will not be able to convey messages or to communicate effectively. Describe a time when I experience Effective Communication in a Business Environment A time I have experience Effective Communication in a Business Environment would be when I was in a meeting with my supervisor and co-workers. We w, were discussing the changes in the customer service department and what direction it is heading and what it means for us. My...

Words: 548 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Climate Essay

...Climate Essay Arlene Jernigan HCS/131 August 10, 2015 Joseph W. Hussar III Climate Essay The active listening that must take place in the workplace goes beyond just the hearing of the words that are spoken by the sender. In the business world, listening skills are acknowledged as a means "to improve customer satisfaction, build partnerships, and maintain relationships among supervisors and employees" (Shipley, 2010, p. 126). It is for this reason that management and staff alike, work together to improve its existence in the workplace. Active listening is a skill that must be cultivated and developed further; we are born with the ability to speak and hear but not the ability to listen. Each one of the listening steps such as receiving, interpreting, remembering, evaluating and responding has to be followed properly for listening to become effective; therefore, listening is an active process. It takes a conscious effort to put aside first impressions of verbal and nonverbal cues and listen to what is being said. In the workplace, this may be difficult because of the differences in management styles and workplace dynamics. However, it can be a learned skill and be practiced in every aspect of life, including where we work. The more active listening that occurs opens the doors to better communication overall. During the process of actively listening, the receiver of the message concentrates on what is being conveyed by the messenger. He or she stops talking, maintains...

Words: 764 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

A Study of Effective Communication

...A Study of Effective Communication A Study of Effective Communication A Study of Effective Communication Effective communication is a crucial part of everyday life and especially in the workplace. This assignment reviews the interpersonal communication between a manager and employee in two different films. The first film is, “Listening Skills: Yeah Whatever”, and the second film is, “Virtual Workplace: Out of the Office Reply”. The assessment of these videos will show the intricate ways in which communication in the workplace happens. In the video, “Listening Skills: Yeah Whatever”, the communication between Pilar and Miguel in the first part of the video was horrible. Pilar being the manager to Miguel was trying to relay important information about the financial side of the account Miguel was working on. While Miguel was an excellent artist who delivered a masterful campaign piece for the client, he did so 11,000 dollars over budget. Pilar had him come into the office to discuss these shortcomings on the account and come up with a way to correct the situation. ("Listening skills: Yeah," ) Miguel was so excited about how well the campaign had come out and was infatuated with himself that he did not listen to what Pilar way saying to him. He believed the client had deep pockets and had come to their firm primarily because of Miguel and his skill. Miguel felt he was above his manager Pilar and his body language emphasized this point...

Words: 1541 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Effective Communication

...Assignment 1: “Effective Communication Skills Are Essential In The Work Place BUS1004- Intro to Business Professor Cummings November 8, 2015 Everyone in the workplace has his or her own style of communication. The ability to communicate well with others who may have a different style is important at work. Hearing and understanding what the other person says, as well as being able to get one’s point across is what effective communication illustrates. In a workplace environment, where many people of different backgrounds and personalities interact on a daily basis, the ability to effectively communicate becomes critical to the success of the department and the company. A time when I experienced effective communication in a business environment was when I took my three sons to their annual exams. The effective communications I experienced were eye contact, listening, and non-verbal communication. The first effective communication I experienced was eye contact, because the doctor made eye contact as she informed me of what was going on with my sons. This showed me her professionalism, knowledge, and a level of respect for me. The second effective communication I experienced was listening. Listening with my eyes and ears enabled me to look for non-verbal gestures that helped me interpret the message that was being delivered to me. Good listening is an important part of communication, because words can be misunderstood leading to a form of negative barriers. The doctor...

Words: 416 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Demonstrative Communication

...Demonstrative communication can be effective and ineffective for the sender and receiver. Maximum Advantage LLC says, “Nonverbal communication is the communication skill that usually receives little thought because it happens automatically”. As you think about it we actually learn to communicate nonverbally at a very young age, for example, baby crying shows a sign of nonverbal communication because the baby is trying to express something by crying showing a facial expression, tone of the cry, and their body gestures. Unwritten communication allows the sender to receive feedback immediately from the receiver. As the sender gives an unwritten message you will know whether if the sender is saying the message in a positive or negative way and this is a way to be certain if the message is being understood by the receiver. For instance, unwritten communication gives you the chance to choose your words by knowing what type of audience you will have. There are many ways to communicate effectively like: speak to people, to take ownership for the communication; smile at people, it takes less muscles to smile than to frown because a smile shows positive feedback in all cultures; be friendly, it takes a friend to be a friend but be the one to take action; and call people by their name, as human beings loves to feel respected and to know you pays attention. McNamara (2010) says, “Effective communication is the foundation for healthy relationships in the workplace, as well as in social and personal...

Words: 765 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Business

...RUNNING HEAD: Fundamentals Of Effective Communication 1 Fundamentals Of Effective Communication In The Workplace Jonetta Franklin Professional Maria Gambuzza Bus- 001- ( Intro To Business ) August 3, 2014 RUNNING HEAD: As simple as communication seems, much of what we try to communicate to other and what others try to communicate to us gets misunderstood. Misunderstandings can cause conflicts, frustration, and professional problems which is not good in the workplace. The importance of effective communication for managers cannot be overemphasized for one specific reason: everything a manager does, involves communicating. Communication is needed to increase efficiency,satisfy customers, improve quality, and create innovative products. This is where effective communication come in to play. Effective communication is the ability to express ourselves well, both verbally and non-verbally, in ways which are proper to our cultures and our situations. Effective communication not only deals with relaying messages, it also with receiving messages. In order to develop effective communication skill one must have essential communication practices. The key elements in effective communication would be saying what you means in a few words as possible, eye contact, listening with both your eyes and ears, finding your voice, and behavior. Saying what you mean in a few words as possible is good because you never want to bore a person with loads of information...

Words: 774 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Demostrative Communication

... “Sending and receiving messages is defined as the process of communication; communication has different meaning to different people. Effective communication between sender and receivers is the shared understanding of information, feeling, thoughts, wants, needs, and the intension of what is being communicated,” according to Cheesebro, O’Connor, and Rios, (2010, p. 5). Communication can be effective, ineffective, positive or negative; and requires listening and responding among the two parties’ receivers and senders. “The communication process model breaks information down into separate parts and using two-dimensional surfaces for inspection; elements include: sender/receiver, encoding, decoding, message, channel, and feedback. Other key points for effective communication is the understanding of barriers, concepts, principles and technology,” according to Cheesebro, O’Connor, and Rios, (2010, p.p. 3-21). In the workplace communication is not avoidable. Communication is the workplace according to Cheesebro, O’Connor, and Rios, is defined as, “the way of making sure that the job get done,” (2010, p. 5). This paper will explain and provide examples’ on demonstrative communication, the language we use to communicate, the effects communication has, and the importance of listening skills, comprehension skills, and responding skills for effective communication. Demonstrative communication includes: “verbal or non-verbal communication between sender and receivers; however, we may...

Words: 980 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Barriers of Effective Workplace Communication

...Introduction This report is being prepared to address to CEO on the barriers of effective workplace communication and measures to overcome these barriers. The discussion is divided into two parts namely barriers to communication and next is providing solution for these barriers. Barriers to effective workplace communication includes poor listening skills, non-verbal signals, physical barriers, emotions, lack of subject knowledge, language, overdose of information etc. which are discussed below. Measures to overcome these barriers are use of simple language, active listening, reduction of noise level, simple organizational structure, emotional state, giving constructive feedback, avoiding information overload, proper media selection and flexibility in meeting targets which are explained as under. The discussion highlighting vital factors causing barrier to communication and its measures is then followed by a conclusion. Discussion Communication is the art of imparting information through exchange of thoughts and messages by speech, writing, behavior or signals. It is the process of conveying message to an individual or group of people. When the receiver understands the message conveyed by sender the communication becomes effective. Barriers to Communication Communication is an important part of our lives. It becomes more significant when at workplace. This is because of the important role which communication plays in determining success or failure of an organization...

Words: 539 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Listening Audience!

... 1 Listening Audience! Brandon Picone COM425 Kristine Clancy Nov 8, 2014 FINAL PAPER 2 Listening Audience! At the root of effective listening is appreciating the difference between hearing and listening. Hearing is merely a physiological process; whereas, listening is an interpretive process (Schnell, Jim 1995).We can always learn something from listening to someone. Humans are special in that way, and as listeners, we cannot have that attitude like we know everything. Someone will always have a difference of opinion, it just matters how you will use the information. Some people may think that listening is a waste of time, but in actuality, listening is never a waste of time. The more we pay attention and push ourselves to be active listeners, the better the communication will be with our peers, leaders, employees and customers. It is very important that we understand both how we listen, as well as who is speaking to us in order to become more efficient listeners. There are many different types of listening skills these days. We have to understand how listening works, in order to improve our listening skills and to be a more effective listener. We must be actively engaged when listening, so that we can understand what is being said. We have to make sure that we listen to verbal and non-verbal communication, in order to get the full spectrum of what is being communicated to us. Here are some common listening types: active, inactive...

Words: 2404 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Communication Competency

...Communication Competence in the Workplace Communication is an essential piece of daily life; it is found everywhere you look in either verbal or nonverbal form. The workplace is no different, every person in every workplace uses some form of communication constantly throughout the day, it is important that each person is aware of the signals that are being sent out, verbally and nonverbally, to coworkers, superiors, clients, customers, etc. According to Donald Baack, “Communication may be defined as transmitting, receiving, and processing information. Information consists of any item that evokes or has meaning” (2012, Chap 1). It is important for employees in all organizations to have the ability to communicate effectively and to get the message across clearly, limiting the possibility of misunderstanding. Communication competency consists of knowledge or awareness of different communication elements, such as interpersonal communication skills and soft skills, management communication skills, communication barriers, and listening styles. The communication competence in a workplace is important at all levels of an organization and the higher the overall competence level the better the working environment. Interpersonal Communication Skills “Interpersonal communication takes place between individuals or one individual with a small set of other people” (Baack, 2012, Chap 1). Everyone has communicates daily with other people, some people are better at this communication...

Words: 2349 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Business 100

...[MY EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION EXPERIENCE IN THE WORKPLACE] [LATOYA REDD] STRAYER UNIVERSITY BUSINESS 100 INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS PROFESSOR EDDIE ALFORD FEBRUARY 11, 2016 Abstract [The paper is about effective communication in the workplace. Communication is essential to workplace. Many employers train their employees on communication skills. It can be your friend or your worst enemy. Needless to say it will improve your overall workplace culture. Communication problems are going to come up and business and employees must understand how to handle these problems.] On a hot beautiful summer day in my room, as I prepare myself for work, I start thinking to myself. I realized that Im about to start a new job, and in reality that means I have to communicate with new people. All kinds of thoughts are going through my head. Are these co-workers going to be nice or co-workers from hell. Being that I am not unfamiliar with how to handle this issue, I think to myself “ you are well prepared for this and your communication skills are over the chart of excellent”. However, to overcome effective communication in the workplace comes with how you present yourself, how well you listen, and how you handle the outcome. First of all, I would like to say I feel that I communicate very well with people at my workplace. I currently work for a production company, so we work as a team. So when working as a team I present myself to my co-workers as an outgoing, easy going and easy to get...

Words: 584 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Solutions to Communication Problems

...literature on solutions to communication problems would not be complete without giving a brief overview of the causes and examples of these problems. Poor communication in organizations can occasion poor relations between members, thereby creating an inhospitable work environment that renders workers ineffective and inefficient (Katz and Linda 396). Some frequently cited causes of poor communication include unclear goals, language barriers, cultural diversity, poor leadership, personal issues, lack of feedback, and demoralization of employees within the organization. Solutions to Communication Problems According to McIntosh, Richard, and Jeffery, communication issues in the workplace can lead to reduced productivity among employees, thereby negatively affecting organizational bottom line (135). In the absence of effective communication, organizations and teams are unable to exchange critical information required in routine operations. Therefore, understanding the causes of communication...

Words: 1241 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Conflict in the Workplace Is Good

...CONTENT 1.1 Definition: Communication and Effective Communications3 1.1.1 Effective Communication Process Diagram3 1.2 Importance of effective communication in the workplace……...............................4 1.3 Types of Communication that mostly occurs in the workplace5 1.4 Advantages and Disadvantages of verbal & non-verbal communication in the workplace4 1.5 Barrier to effective Communication in the workplace5 1.6 Conclusion6 1.7 List of References……….………………………………………………………………7 1.1 Definition. “Communication can be defined as the process of transmitting information and common understanding from one person to another” (Keyton, 2011) ……….is by means of connecting with different people and places in reaching a mutual understanding not only by encoding and decoding information but also sharing the meaning. “Effective Communication is a two-way process that requires effort and skill by both sender and receiver.” (Lunenburg ,Fred C, 2010) …. in my words effective communication is an understanding between two people the employee and the employer of the message that need to be interpreted and understood by the employer to be able to feedback effectively. Effective communication the workplace is very important for the organisation to function productively, by developing an awareness of the importance of sender’s and receiver’s responsibilities and adhere to listening skills. Workplace is a location which an...

Words: 1362 - Pages: 6