Chapter Overview

Listening effectively is often a difficult task, but it can be rewarding for the person who is willing to make the effort. The guidelines for effective listening include the following:

1. Avoid fakery. Don't pretend to be listening when in fact your mind is wandering; this kind of behavior can settle into a hard-to-break habit.

2. Be willing to put forth energy. Since listening is hard work, especially if the material is new or difficult, you must have a strong desire to listen actively and intelligently.

3. Prepare yourself for the act of listening. Do whatever background reading or research that is necessary for gaining maximum understanding of the speech.

4. Resist distractions, both external and internal. Use rigorous self-discipline to keep your mind concentrated on the speaker's remarks.

5. Listen analytically, focusing on main ideas and evaluating support materials.

6. Take notes, not only for a record of key points but as a way of keeping your mind from wandering.

7. Give every speaker a fair chance. Don't discount a speaker because of personal appearance or the organization he or she represents.

8. Control your emotions. Don't mentally argue with a speaker: you might misunderstand what he or she is really saying.

As a listener you have three important obligations to a speaker: to avoid all forms of rudeness, to provide encouragement, and to find value in every speech. The more support you give a speaker, the better the speech will be, and the more you will profit from it.

Evaluating speeches can help you improve your own speechmaking skills. Look for both positive and negative aspects of a speech, and give specific, constructive suggestions. When you are on the receiving end of evaluations, don't be defensive. Try to understand the criticism and then make improvements.