1Critical listening and evaluationME 3910Trine Kvidal, Communication [email protected]• Listening – some myths• Ways of listening• Challenges to effective listening• Listening critically• Critical questioning• Feedback responsesListening• Listening is an ongoing process• Most of us think we are better listeners than we really are• Cost of poor listening is high• Good listening is one of the most important leader skills Listening• Compromises “the steps of hearing and interpreting”(Brilhart, Galanes and Adams, 2001, p. 54)• Includes “your perception and response to the other”(Stewart and Logan, 1998, p. 166)2Myths about listening• Listening is connected to intelligence• Listening cannot be learned• Listening is the same as hearing• Listening is automatic• Listening means agreeingListening - different ways• Appreciatively – Easy listening• Empathically– Understand and identify• Evaluatively–Defensive• Critically– Active mental process, engagedListening - Challenges• Attention problems– Fast thinking– Overload– Entertainment factor – Pseudolistening• Inference-making problems– Snap judgments and silent arguing– Attributional errors and undue attentionHow to listen critically• Be focused• Listen for concepts and ideas– What are the main points– What is NOT said• Organize what you hear– Make connections– Listen for patterns, transitions• Evaluate– Evaluate evidence carefully3Critical questioning• Request clarification• Use analytical questions• Address ethical issues and values• Ask for developments and extensions•Be tactful!Feedback responses and evaluation• Be specific and clear• Support comments with evidence• Separate the issues from the people• Soften negative messagesFeedback responses and evaluation cont.• Sandwich negative messages between positive ones• Pose situation as mutual problem• Use good timing• Use proper manner of deliverySummary• Listening is an ongoing and active process• Listening is challenged by attention and inference-making problems• Critical listening demands focus, organization and evaluation• Use critical questions to increase understanding• Use good timing and proper manners for evaluation and feedback4Exercise:Critical listening and evaluation Hand in at the end of class• Watch and listen critically to the taped presentation • Use your critical listening skills to evaluate this formal presentation in terms of– Organization of material– Evidence– Use of visual aids–