September 18, 2022

Reflection

LISTENING SKILLS  # 3

We used to do a neat listening exercise in small  groups.

You put 6 people together and give them the following instructions.

Starting with the person in the group who has the earliest birthday in the year, that person tells the person to their right - with the other 4 people listening - "I think the main reason why people have trouble listening is this: ______________."

Then they tell what they think that main reason is.

Next step: that person who has just heard that first person's response - has to tell that first person - with the whole group listening -  what they heard - not word for word - but the substance of what they heard - and in their own words if they want. 

If the first person is satisfied with the listener's response back to them, then good.  If they are not, then that first person repeats what they said to the person on their right - and then that second person tries again. Sometimes they really mess it up,

I noticed that sometimes this takes a few times. 

When the exercise is all over - comments are made.  Sometimes - it seems -  the speaker is not clear about what they are saying.  Sometimes the listener is just not a good listener. Sometimes the listener gives back to the speaker their comments in a neater way.

The second speaker - after being given a moment to think - after the first person is satisfied -  then gives his comments to the third person - what he or she thinks is the reason people have trouble listening.

The third person  - always going to the right - listens and then gives back to the second person - what he or she heard.

And on and on around the circle.

Great exercise.

It takes time.

The time - afterwards - for group comments  - as well as - comments in a larger group - if there are many groups of 6 - is also very valuable.

I learned that I think the number one reason why people get messed up in listening - is because the speaker is not that clear in speaking.