Task-Oriented Listening
Task-oriented listening aims to secure information necessary to get a job. The situations that call for task-oriented listening are endless and varied: following an instructor's comments in class, getting tips from a coach on how to improve your athletic skill, taking directions from your boss- the list foes on and on. Task-oriented listening is most concerned with efficiency. Task-oriented listeners view time as a scarce and valuable commodity, and they can grow impatient when they think others are wasting it. A task orientation can be an asset when deadlines and other pressures demand fast action. Despite its advantages, a task orientation can put off others when it seems to disregard their feelings. A no-nonsense task-orientation can put off others when it seems to disregard their feelings. A no-nonsense task-oriented approach isn't always appreciated by speakers who- by virtue of culture or temperament-lack the skill or inclination to be clear and direct. Finally, task-oriented listeners seem to minimise emotional issues and concerns, which may be important part of business and personal transactions. You can become more effective as an informational listener by approaching others with a constructive attitude and by using some simple but effective skills.
When task-oriented listening is appropriate, the following guidelines will help you be more effective.
Look for Key Ideas
It's easy to lose patience with long-winded speakers who never seem to get the point-or to have a point, for that matter. By using your ability to think more quickly than the speaker can talk, you may be able to extract the thesis from the surrounding mass of words you're hearing.
Ask Questions
Questioning involves asking for additional information to clarify your idea of the sender's message. One key element of questions is that they request the speaker to elaborate on information already given. Despite their apparent benefits, not all questions are equally helpful. Whereas sincere questions are aimed at understanding others, counterfeit questions are really disguised attempts to send a message not receive one. Counterfeit questions come in several varieties:
- Questions that make statements Emphasising certain words turn a question into a statement. EX: "You lent money to Tony?" We also use questions to offer advice. The person who responds with "Are you going to stand up to him and give him what he deserves?" clearly has stated an opinion about what should be done.
- Questions that carry hidden agendas EX: "Are you busy Friday night?" is a dangerous question to answer. If you say, "No," thinking the person has something fun in mind, you won't like hearing, "Good because I need some help moving my piano."
- Questions the seek "correct" answers Most of us have been victims of question-askers who want to hear only a particular response. EX: "Which shoes do you think I should wear?"
- Questions that are based on unchecked assumptions "Why aren't you listening to me?" assumes the other person isn't paying attention. Perception checking is a much better way of checking our assumptions.
Unlike counterfeit questions, sincere question are genuine requests for new information that clarifies a speaker's thought or feelings. Although the value of sincere questioning might seem obvious, people don't use this information seeking approach enough. Communicators are often reluctant to show their ignorance by asking for an explanation of what seems like an obvious point.
Paraphrasing
Questioning is often a valuable tool for increasing understanding. Sometimes, however, questions won't help you understand a speaker's ideas any more clearly. Paraphrasing involves restating in your own words the message you though the speaker had just sent, without adding anything new.
You can make your paraphrasing sound more natural by taking any of the three approaches, depending on the situation:
- Change the speakers wording
- Offer an example of what you think the speaker is talking about. When the speaker makes an abstract statement, you may suggest a specific example or two to see if your understanding is accurate.
- Reflect the underlying theme of the speaker's remarks When you want to run through the other persons conversation complete a perception check.
Learning to paraphrase isn't easy, but it can be worth the effort , because it offers two very real advantages . First, it boosts the odds that you'll accurately and fully understand what others are saying. Second, paraphrasing guides you toward sincerely trying to understand of a conversational partner's comments are judged to be more socially attractive than listeners who don't.
Take Notes
Understanding others is crucial , of course, but comprehending their key ideas doesn't guarantee that you will remember them. Listeners usually forget almost two-thrids of what they hear. Sometimes recall isn't especially important. You don't need to retain many details. At other times, though, remembering a message- even a minute- is important. When detailed notes (like lecture notes) are necessary a few simple points will make them effective:
- Don't wait too long before beginning to jot down ideas.
- Record only key ideas.
- Develop a note-taking format.