PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION

What is Critical Listening?

Critical listening is a form of listening that if usually not mentioned, since it involves analysis,
critical thinking and judgment. Making judgments during listening is often considered as a barrier to
understand a person, and there's a lot of truth in that.However, critical listening occurs when you still
want to understand what the other person is saying, but also have some reason or responsibility to
evaluate what is being said to you and how it is being said. For example, if there's an upcoming election
and you need to decide who to vote for, you probably use some form of critical listening when you watch
a televised debate. You listen, AND you evaluate.While experts on learning and communication almost
universally demean the importance and value of critical listening, when it comes to real life, listening
critically is used every day.The key though, is to try to understand the other person FIRST, before one
evaluates.

Ways to improve Critical listening

1. BE FULLY IN THE MOMENT

Have you ever been speaking to someone and found that they are distracted by something and
not really listening to you? You probably thought this was annoying, frustrating, and disrespectful. At
that point you may have even become angry or shut the conversation down.
When someone is speaking it is vitally important to be fully present and in the moment with
them. If something else is on your mind, like a call you have to make, or a text you need to answer, let
them know, do what you need to do, and when you are finished let them know you are ready to listen.
When listening pay attention not only to the words but the tone of voice, facial expressions,
and body language. This will give you information that will be as important as the words themselves.

2. PUT YOURSELF IN THEIR SHOES

Whether you agree with the speaker or even have an interest in what they have to say, what
they are saying is important to them. Imagine yourself in their situation, wanting only to have
someone listen to them. When they are speaking, make an effort to think of where they are coming
from and why. Imagine what their life is like and what struggles they might be facing. People will
appreciate that you made the effort to understand and really hear them.

3. PICK UP KEY POINTS AND LET THE SPEAKER KNOW YOU DID
Many people have trouble focusing on what someone is saying especially if they speak for
longer than a minute or so. It is easy for our attention to drift to something else that we might find
more interesting. If that’s the case, try to pick up a few key points in the conversation. After they
finish talking, let them know that you heard them by mentioning the key points you heard them say
and ask them to clarify anything that you did not understand. You will be forgiven for not being able
to follow the whole conversation if the person talking believes that you made an honest effort.

4. PRACTICE ACTIVE LISTENING

Most people are thinking of how they are going to reply when someone is talking. Instead of
doing that, try to focus completely on what the person is saying. Pretend that you will be tested on
how much of what they were saying you heard and understood. A good exercise to practice is to sit
down with a family member or a good friend and practice simply giving feedback to them of what you
heard them say. You will notice that it gets much easier to focus on their words when you aren’t
worrying about how you will respond.

5. DEVELOP CURIOSITY, AN OPEN MIND, AND A DESIRE FOR CONTINUOUS

GROWTH
People who are naturally curious see conversations as learning opportunities. They are always
looking to discover or learn something new and see everyone they talk to as having the potential to
teach them something. They are open to the idea that their own way of seeing things may not be the
only, or necessarily the best, way and don’t feel the need to always defend their own point of view or
way of seeing the world.
These people are continuously looking for new learning opportunities and taking on new
challenges. You will recognize these people as the ones who are signing up for courses, volunteering,
and trying new experiences throughout their lives. For them, listening to others becomes an easy and
natural way to continue on their self-development journey.

6. RECOGNIZE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FACTS AND OPINION – Often when

people have a negative opinion about a topic, they are unwilling to accept facts. Instead, they question all
aspects of the speech and have a negative predisposition towards both the speech and the speaker. Critical
listeners may agree or disagree with a speaker’s opinions, but the point is that they know when a message
they are hearing is based on opinion or facts.