Journal Entry Perspectives

Effective Listening

Name

Institution

Was there any point when you and the other person didn't fully understand each other?

Yes. At times he could not understand what I am conveying and sometimes I was having difficulty understanding him.

If yes, when, and what were some of your approaches to enhance understanding?

Lack of understanding was due to the following reasons; inattentiveness, boredom, lack of interest and selection of words. For enhancing the comprehension, I removed my mobile phone and other distracters from the place; made the topic interesting through adding humor and avoided talking too much on the same topic and ensured communicating clear and understandable wording.

If no, what did you do to assure clear understanding?

I attempted to include above mentioned practices in Question 2 to ensure understanding.

Do you think the other person would answer these questions the same way you did?

Other person would not answer the questions in the desired way this is because of individual differences. Some people do not think from others’ perspectives; they, being ego centric, generalize their thinking to others. Hence, they do not meet our expectations at some points.

Did you experience any conflict in either conversation?

No, I did not experience any conflict during conversation.

If yes, what was it and how did you address it?

I did not experience any conflict during conversation.

If no, how do you think you were able to prevent conflict in those conversations?

I was quite conscious about not destroying others’ sentiments and drawing erroneous conclusions from what they uttered. I tried to understand their perspective whole heatedly without being judgmental and or carrying any rumination. Despite opposing opinions, I neither rejected their ideas nor made fun of it.

Do you think the other person would answer these questions the same way you did?

Again, I do not think so; individual differenced are always there.

Do you stop and consider the other person's perspective when the communication is effortless and pleasant (everything is understood and there is no conflict)?

Communication is pleasant only when both persons understand each others’ perspective. So I need not to stop and think about its favorableness because it was already going well.

10. What makes the communication easy in when those situations?

Attentive listening, respect, equal opportunity to share ideas, favorable voice tone and non- judgmental attitude makes communication easier (Bennett & Jarvis, 1991).

11. Try to provide an example of how your communication and behavior changed as a result of actively reflecting on perspectives.

Reflection allowed me to contemplate the event profoundly that I otherwise do not feel like doing. I knew my communication strengths, weaknesses, reasons, consequences, feelings, desirableness and significance of others’ perspective that refined my communication skills. I never reject or make fun of others now because they speak with their own unique intellectualities.

12. Was changing your communication and/or behavior effective? Why or why not?

When the change is constructive; outcomes can be assumed in that way. Changing behavior was effective because it allowed me to identify and eliminate my weaknesses and empower communication strengths.

References

Bennett, M. & Jarvis, J. (1991). The communicative function of minimal responses in everyday conversation. The Journal of Social Psychology, 131, 519–523.