1.3 Listening is a Leadership Skill

What Does Ineffective Listening Look Like?

• Off-on-a-Tangent Listening—Prompted by something said by the speaker, the listener goes off on a tangent relating to his or her experience. The speaker gets cut off; the listener changes the focus of the conversation. How do you think the speaker feels?
• Barbecue Listening—The listener continually “grills” or interrogates the speaker, asking questions of interest to the listener but not necessarily to the speaker. How do you think the speaker feels? Giving-Advice Listening—The listener gives advice or ideas to the speaker, even when he or she is not being asked for them. The listener uses “yeah, but” or “that won’t work” statements. How do you think the speaker feels?
• Giving-Advice Listening—The listener gives advice or ideas to the speaker, even when he or she is not being asked for them. The listener uses “yeah, but” or “that won’t work” statements. How do you think the speaker feels?
• Multitasking Listening—The listener allows distractions and interruptions. He or she does other things while the speaker is talking. How do you think the speaker feels?