Factors that affect my ability to listen effectively

Ugonna Thelma
Jul 29, 2017 · 2 min read

Listening is a vital part of effective communication. It is not just hearing, it requires focus so that you get meaning from what is being said.

A few factors that affect my ability to listen effectively are

  • Personal Bias

According to the Cambridge dictionary, Bias is “ the action of supporting or opposing a particular person or thing in an unfair way, because of allowing personal opinions to influence your judgment”

For me to listen effectively, I put aside personal beliefs or opinions and try to understand the message from an objective point of view.

  • Rehearsing a response

Due to nervousness or lack of confidence, now and again individuals spend time rehearsing what to say in the event that a question is asked and tend to miss important parts of the speaker’s message. In order not to lose concentration, i take notes on paper, that way i am forced to concentrate on what the speaker is communicating

  • Environmental Factors

Environmental factors such as noise or temperature, can affect our ability to listen. These factors may not be controllable, so the best approach to deal with this is by moving to a tranquil place with more agreeable temperature.

As Scott M. Peck says, “You cannot truly listen to anyone and do anything else at the same time.”

    Ugonna Thelma
    Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
    Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
    Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade