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Category: Reflective Listening

  • Communication – Nonverbal component of Reflective Listening

    In the last byte, we looked at how clarifying the implicit and reflecting on the core helps reflective listening. In today’s byte, we look at the non verbal components of reflective listening and see how it helps understand the discussion better.

    It is a common observation that people who are upset do not speak with each other for long durations of time. On the other hand, we also tend to associate long, extended periods of silence as something discomforting. If such silence happens in a conversation it could be inferred as a source of embarrassment! This apart, silence could also help both the speaker and listener in reflective listening – let’s see how:

    • Speaker’s perspective – it helps in moments of thought or confusion about the apt means to express a difficult idea.
    • Listener’s perspective – it could be used to sort out their own thoughts/feelings about the speaker’s take on the idea.
    • Silence helps identify and isolate the personal response of the listener and helps control them from being got into the dialogue.

    Eye Contact helps open up conversations between people. There are different interpretations of eye contact and these are influence primarily by the cultural context of the country. However the commonality is –
    1. Too much direct eye contact could have intimidating effect
    2. Moderate direct eye contact opens up the discussion and indicates affirmation.

  • Communication – Reflective Listening 2

    In the last byte, we looked at reflective listening and attempted to understand the 3 components of reflective listening. In today’s byte, we look at each of these 3 components in detail.

    Personal aspect: Reflective listening emphasizes the personal element of communication – not he impersonal or abstract elements of the message. There is empathy, concern etc for the communicator as a person. The communicator is not treated as an inanimate object!

    Feeling orientation:  Reflective listening also emphasizes on the feels communicated in the message. In addition to the thoughts and ideas that catch the general attention in normal communication, reflective listening also keeps an ear on the feels. The receiver pays special attention to the feel component of the message.

    Responsiveness:  Reflective listening requires the listener to resound to the communicator instead of leading the communicator in the discussion. The receiver would need to realize the distinction between his/her individual feelings and thoughts and that of the speaker. The focus has to be on the speaker’s feelings and thoughts so as to be able respond to them. A good reflective listener doesn’t lead the speaker according to the listeners’ own thought and feelings….

  • Communication – Reflective Listening

    In the last byte, we looked at the role played by richness of the medium. In today’s byte, we look at the concept of reflective listening.

    Reflective listening is the skill that intends to help the receiver and the communicator clearly and fully understand the message sent. The receiver generally listens to the communicator and repeats the message heard to the speaker to correct any inaccuracies or misunderstanding. Thus, the role of the receivers or audience is emphasized to a greater extent than the usual communication process. Managers could use this skill to understand their coworkers and reduce misunderstanding – through the reduction of perception distortion and overcome any interpersonal barriers that could lead to communication failure.

    Given the reflection on the message – it helps the communicator clarify and sharpen the intended meaning. This is extremely important in problem solving.

    We can characterize Reflective Listening on 3 aspects:

    1. Personal
    2. Feeling Oriented
    3. Responsive
    We shall discuss these in the next byte.