Describe the ways that you can improve your listening skills and provide an example of each. Answer:

Ask yourself: What keeps you from really listening? Which filters block your ability to hear and understand what others are saying? Overcoming listening barriersespecially those that are reinforced by social hierarchies can be challenging. Perhaps one way to overcome those societal messages is through awareness that our listening behaviors play an important role in the outcome of communication encounters. A number of research studies have shown that when people listen attentively to one another, the speaker is more likely to speak coherently. On the other hand, when listeners do not pay careful attention, speakers tend to be less coherent. Put another way, regardless of who they are or their social location, when speakers feel they are listened to with respect and attentiveness, they become better communicators and vice versa. Another way to improve listening skills is by applying the concept of mindful listening. Mindful listening, which is a specific kind of mindfulness, is based on Eastern philosophy and Zen Buddhism; it is defined by focus, concentration, and compassion, and it can bring health, peace, and productivity to our everyday lives. This holistic approach requires that we listen with the heart, body, and mind, and for most of us, that means a major change in attitude. Mindful listening focuses on the process of listening versus the payoff.