Full Answer Section

• Verbal: Sarah uses verbal cues like “uh-huh” and “I see” to acknowledge my points. She asks clarifying questions (“Can you elaborate on that?”) to ensure understanding.

• Checking for Understanding: Sarah frequently summarizes what I’ve said (“So, you’re feeling frustrated because…”) and asks if her understanding is correct.

• Impact: Conversations with Sarah feel productive. I feel heard and valued, making me more open to sharing and collaborating. Our relationship thrives on mutual respect and understanding.

The Poor Listener (Let’s call him Mark):

• Nonverbal: Mark often glances at his phone or looks around the room. He might have a closed posture with crossed arms or slouching.

• Verbal: Mark makes minimal verbal cues and interrupts frequently to offer solutions or share unrelated experiences.

• Checking for Understanding: Mark rarely checks for understanding. He might simply repeat the last few words I said without grasping the full context.

• Impact: Conversations with Mark are frustrating. I feel unheard and dismissed, leading to disengagement. Our relationship suffers due to a lack of genuine connection.

Alignment with Learning Resources:

This week’s learning resources emphasized the importance of active listening, which aligns perfectly with Sarah’s behaviors. Her eye contact, verbal cues, and summarizing demonstrate she’s actively engaged in the conversation and trying to understand my perspective. Mark, on the other hand, exemplifies poor listening habits like minimal feedback and interrupting, hindering effective communication.

Extending the Ideas:

The learning resources focused on active listening in a professional setting. However, Sarah’s good listening skills extend to all types of conversations, fostering positive relationships in both personal and professional spheres.