Discussion—Analyzing Listening Behaviors

 Consider the following situations and answer the questions:

SITUATION 1: At the end of a long day, your spouse, significant other, family member or friend wants to tell you about her/his day. You are exhausted (a physical barrier to listening) and really don’t want to listen to all the details.

Would you sit and hear without really listening (remember the difference between hearing and listening) about his/her day in an attempt to not hurt his/her feelings, or would you tell her/him that you’re too tired to listen right now? Explain your choice – or – explain a different way you would handle this 

 In this situation, given a choice among hearing without listening, telling him/her that you’re too tired, or doing the other option you might have described in response to question 1, which option is the most ethical, in your opinion? Explain your selection.

SITUATION 2: You are in an office setting and you have been called into a group discussion about how to improve communication. You have heard it all before and to be honest with yourself, nothing being said is any different to you. You have walked in with your mind already made up that you do not really care to participate in this discussion at this time.

Have you ever been in a situation like the one described? Explain how you handled it. If you haven’t been in a business setting like that, think of a time when you were in a similar situation (any group meeting or school experience) when you walked in with your mind made up that it was going to be a waste of time. Which listening disposition did you use? Describe how you handled the situation.

Do you feel listening is just as important as what you have to say to someone? Explain your opinion.