istenersSuperficial listeners are often judging, daydreaming, or rehersing their response this is essentially hearing, not listening. The listener is tuning in and out thinking little of the talker, and mainly listening for a chance to jump in and take over the conversation. People who listen at this level are pretending to listen and are often quiet and passive. To achieve deep listening, the listener must take on certain responsibilities to help the talker and to ensure that there is agreement about the interpretation and intent of a message. Specifically, the listener must focus on the talker and pay close attention to what is being said. Strive to understand the meaning of the message and respond accordingly. Keep in mind that the response lets the talker know whether or not the message is getting through and allows him or her to adjust the message accordingly.Listener ResponsibilitiesDetermine the talker's needs during the interaction. At the beginning of a conversation, the talker may be tentative and not say what he or she means. Whether he or she continues often depends on the listener's initial response. Stay neutral and try to listen objectively. Direct, clear communication rarely occurs when information flows one way. Listening blocks are obstacles that interfere with our listening they prevent the listener from successfully receiving or interpreting a message. These blocks can be verbal or nonverbal barriers to effective listening. The most common listening blocks are the listener tunes out or is not paying attention to the talker. The listener is bored or just not interested in the talker or the subject. The listener is thinking about other things and is detached. Sometimes a listener focuses primarily on the facts, ignoring the emotional elements of a message. The listener becomes emotionally detached from the talker. The listener is concerned with content only and not the feelings behind it. The listener is only half li...
