BY DAY 5
Respond to two or more of your colleagues’ posts in one or more of the following ways:
- Compare the good and poor listening behaviors identified in your post to the behaviors your colleague described.
- Suggest one or more strategies that your colleague could have used to improve conversations with the poor listener they identified.
- Highlight at least one additional way in which your colleague’s analysis aligns with this week’s Learning Resources.
- Add at least on resource
BY DAY 7
Respond to two or more of your colleagues’ posts in one or more of the following ways:
- Describe a specific takeaway or insight you gained from your colleague’s account.
- Respectfully pose one or two additional questions to encourage your colleague’s further reflection and insight on empathetic communication.
- Suggest one or two specific tips your colleague could have used to improve the difficult/uncomfortable conversation with the party they described.
- Add at least on resource
DISCUSSION 1
TuesdayApr 2 at 8:45am
Good day Everyone,
For this post I will use two of my coworkers. Person 1 is an amazing listener. When engaging in a conversation with them:
· They give you their undivided attention. They would rather tell you give me a few seconds let me wrap up this task rather than miss out on important information
· They take down notes
· They make eye contact
· They sit professionally during the conversation
· They are actively engaged in the conversation; say what they understand and ensure that it matches with what i am trying to communicate
· They ask clarifying questions.
· After conversation is done they provide feedback on whatever was discussed (a task to be completed, inventory to have sent out, etc.) in a very timely manner.
With Person 1 they help to boost productivity and because they are an active listener it also helps them to better communicate within the department helping to build team spirit and great chemistry with the workers.
Person 2 on the other hand is not a very good listener. When having a conversation with them:
· They tend to engage in several other activities simultaneously (texting, surfing the internet, etc.)
· They are not actively engaged
· They tend to say "yes, yes, yes" as if what you are communicating they already know and that you are just annoying or nagging them.
· They take no notes
· They slouch and are a bit very unprofessional during dialogue.
· They do not make eye contact sometimes they do not even position their body towards me.
· They provide no feedback
· Most time they interpret messages wrongly; leading to wasting of time, prolonging of tasks and reducing efficiency
With person 2 its sometimes like talking to a brick wall and it can get you frustrated as the one trying to relay the message. This slows down on the businesses productivity and sometimes causes hinderances within the department.
Tuesday
Good Day Everyone,
For today's discussion I will be using initials to identify each party. G is a good listener while J is a poor listener.
The signs that G displays whilst engaging in a conversation are:
· Maintaining eye contact
· Waiting until the other party has finished speaking before responding.
· Stops other tasks to focus on the conversation
· Maintain an attentive posture
G's behavior while engaging in a conversation shows that they are engaged and in tuned to the conversation. With this attitude they display active listening skills which are essential for effective communication to take place.
J on the other hand displays the following signs:
· Constantly fidgeting
· The inability to maintain eye contact
· The use of devices whilst having a conversation
· Responds in a manner which shows that their full attention was not engaged
J's displays poor listening skills and also the fact that the conversation is not prioritized as high importance or as something that need to be provided with the full attention required. J needs to work on their listening skills in order to become a better communicator.
DISCUSSION 2
YesterdayApr 5 at 3:26pm
I recently had a conversation with my Administrator about school. He showed a lot of care and concern because he knew what it was like to go to school later in life and how difficult it can be. He has given me great pointers and expressed that his door is always open when I have a question. Each week he makes a point to ask me how things are going and if I need help he is always free to help me. Knowing that I have a coworker who wants me to Excel in school makes me feel even more motivated to do my very best. Some of the ways that you can use empathy in difficult situations are: 1. Is to go into the conversation with an open mind and try to think that the other person's intentions are good. 2. Be a good listener 3. Show encouragement and support It is important to use empathy because it helps to improve communication by seeing your coworkers through their point of view. Empathy also allows you to show compassion as well as patience. In order to show empathy, improving your communication is key (McLaren, 2020).
YesterdayApr 5 at 6:31pm
Discussion Post 2:
In the midst of the chaos brought on by the pandemic, I found myself in a conversation that would profoundly reshape my understanding of empathy in communication. Drawing upon the wisdom shared in a video by GCFLearnFree.orgLinks to an external site. (2019) on active listening, and inspired by McLaren's (2020) insights on empathetic leadership, I embarked on a journey that would challenge and deepen my connections with those around me.
Imagine standing in someone else's shoes, feeling their joy, pain, and everything in between. This is what I sought to do when a colleague confided in me about remote work struggles. It was a moment of vulnerability, a shared human experience that many of us have faced in these trying times. The conversation was more than an exchange of words; it was a dance of emotions, a testament to the power of truly listening, not just responding, but understanding.
GCFLearnFree.orgLinks to an external site. (2019) advocates active listening, emphasizing emotional energy. By mirroring my colleagues'feelings, acknowledging their experience without immediate solutions, I aimed to create a space where empathy was not just a concept, but a lived reality. This was about connecting heart to heart, validating their emotions, and acknowledging their situation in a way that words alone could not convey.
McLaren (2020) echoes the sentiment that empathy and compassion must lead the way, especially in leadership. The idea that 78% of employees would extend their working hours for an empathetic employer struck a chord with me. In practicing empathy, I adapted my communication style, striving to meet my colleagues where they were, emotionally and mentally. It wasn't about fixing the problem but about being present, offering a listening ear, and understanding the world from their perspective.
This experience taught me the essence of empathetic communication: building bridges, not barriers. It's about seeing through another's eyes and walking a mile in their shoes. The impact was profound, not only on the outcome of that particular conversation but on our ongoing relationship. It reinforced the idea that effective leadership lies in the ability to connect, understand, and empathize.
Reflecting on these insights, I am reminded of empathy's transformative power. It's not just a skill but a way of being, a guiding light in darkness, a beacon of hope and understanding. As we navigate human interaction, let us remember empathy's value in forging authentic and compassionate connections.