Week Two Individual: Using Language Effectively
Maria Lobitos
XCOM/200
March 23, 2013
Ellen Riordan

The importance of listening in communication is colossal. “The importance of listening in communication is often well illustrated when we analyze our listening skills with those closest to us.” (Staiano. 2006.) For example, when we are conversing with family members such as spouse and children. When our children are talking sometimes we respond with uh-huh when they are trying to tell us something. Then when we are asked with a question, we respond with, “I am so sorry but what did you say again?” We tend not to listen completely because we are occupied on coming up with a response. Also even when listening to a music. Our mind tend to wonder and not really paying attention to the words of the song we are listening to. One of my experience in the past in regards to having a hard time listening was when we had a staff meeting at work and I was not able to properly decode information that did not make sense to me. It is because my own attitude of “already know the topic” that I brought to the staff meeting had an effect to my ability to listen to the manager. Since I already knew the topic, I was not that focus to the what the manager was saying and when the time came and the manager asked a question, I was not ready to respond. I was more preoccupied with my own thoughts that I did not focus on the message. Also, since the topic has been discussed many times before I was not paying attention to the speaker because I found him boring already. I thought I knew it all therefore, I was so anxious to jump in to say something instead of concentrating whose turn it was to ask questions. Another listening barrier I have experienced on that same staff meeting was the excessive talking of my peers while the manager was talking. Since they were talking