The Characteristics Of Poor Listening Skills

Register to read the introduction… The first is referred to as “faking attention”. By doing this, we undertake a perception that the speaker will believe we have succeeded all of the criteria of good listening skills if we just look like a listener. This is an error in judgment because energy is required when listening. “I-get-the-facts listening” is the second characteristic of poor listening. For example, if one is presented with numerous facts and gets caught up on trying to remember the first couple of facts, then the remainder is missed as well as the whole concept that’s being presented. This is a common mistake I personally make; trying to memorize the facts, which is not the proper way to listen. Listening can be a challenge, but “avoiding difficult listening” is another mistake. Difficult listening becomes avoided when there is inexperience in using mental exertion, which leads to a lack of trying due to the inability to understand what is being said. The diminishing downward spiral of the listening ability can result from this habit. The fourth characteristic of poor listening is the “premature dismissal of a subject as uninteresting”. This is similar to “avoiding difficult listening” except the word uninteresting becomes the justification for not listening. Even if the information doesn’t sound very interesting, it still may play a vital role in the conversation. “Criticizing delivery and physical appearance” is another characteristic. Excuses involved with not listening are the result of way the speaker speaks and dresses. The form of the delivery is not as important as the content of the message. The sixth and final characteristic of poor listening is “yielding easily to distractions”. The external noises can easily switch a listener off. It is up to you as a listener to properly notify and handle the distractions. “Each of these habits serves as a rationalization for not listening, even when the person who has …show more content…
For instance, at my first job I was always given face to face verbal directions, but because of my poor listening skills the given task was never completed as quickly as it should have been. Again, all six poor habits could have played a role, but it seems there are a few that seem to occur more frequently. I can’t say I was faking attention during these moments. I believe I was truly trying to listen. Trying to collect all of the facts is what hindered my listening. I was trying to remember every single word, which I was unable to do and instead should have been more focused on the main goal. The other habits could have been a factor, although I think trying to gather all the facts was the major