1. Invitation to Insight

a. Recall three on-the-job incidents in which you had difficulty listening effectively. For each incident, describe which of the following factors interfered with your listening effectiveness:

1. Physiological b arriers Hearing problems Rapid t hought 2. Environmental b arriers Physical distractions Problems in the communication channel Message o verload 3. Attitudinal barriers and faulty assumptions Preoccupation Egocentrism Fear of appearing ignorant Assuming that effective communication is the sender’s responsibility Assuming that listening is passive Assuming that talking has more advantages than listening 4. Sociocultural d ifferences Culture Gender 5. Lack o f t raining

b. Develop a list of ways you could overcome the greatest barriers that prevent you from listening m ore e ffectively.