homework
In this Homework, you have considered two important competency areas: emotional intelligence and cultural intelligence. Each influences your interactions with others and each is important to you individually and in a management position.
Complimentary to these intelligences, and central to the ability to gain an understanding, is the ability to truly listen. Throughout this week, observe several conversations and evaluate the listening skills of each participant. If you are unable to observe any live conversations, search the Internet for a video in which a conversation is taking place and note your observations from that. Make notes of what you observed. Consider the participants' abilities to listen and really "hear" what is being said.
To complete the Professional Reflection homework, compose a cohesive document that addresses the following:
1) Summarize the three most important items you learned from your Homework and the resources. Explain why they stood out to you and how you will apply what you have learned into your work as a manager. Be specific and provide examples.
2) Summarize your observations from the conversations that you observed.
• Explain what you observed about the participants' ability to listen and hear what was being said.
• Describe whether or how you were able to determine when the participants were listening and really hearing each other.
• Describe your observations about the outcomes of the conversations based on the participants' relative listening skills of the participants.
3) Why do you think it is important to listen to understand what is being said and what are the main challenges to actually listening to understand?
4) What actions might you take to ensure that you are a good listener and avoid listening only to respond (i.e. avoid turning your focus to what you will say in reply versus actually concentrating on what someone is saying to you)?
5) What cues do you watch for to make sure you are listening to someone who is speaking? What steps do you take if you notice you are not?
6) Assess why listening skills would be important in your role as a manager and as an employee.
7) To what extent do you agree that listening is the most important step in communicating? Explain your answer and provide examples to support your assessment.
8) In what ways and to what extent do you think that developing good listening skills will help you develop your emotional intelligence and cultural competencies? Provide examples to support your position.
9) How will you use what you have learned to improve your ability to be an effective manager?
Be sure to support your Professional Reflection using this readings or other credible and relevant resources.
General Guidance: your Professional Reflection submissions will typically be 2-4 pages in length.
Reminder about source for conversations in this homework: Observe several conversations and evaluate the listening skills of each participant. If you are unable to observe any live conversations, search the Internet for a video in which a conversation is taking place and note your observations from that. Make notes of what you observed. Consider the participants' abilities to listen and really "hear" what is being said.
Format your homework according to the following formatting requirements:
(1) The answer should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
(2) The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the homework, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
(3) Also include a reference page. The Citations and references should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.
Reference
To prepare for this Professional Reflection:
• Examine your own listening skills using this short Listening Skills Test:
Psychology Today. Listening Skills Test. (2017). Psychology Today
1) Review this week's Homework Forums
2) Review this week's Learning Resources, especially:
• Keyser, J. (2014, July 15). Listening is a leader's most important skill [Blog]. TD.org.
• Llopis, G. (2013, May 20). 6 ways effective listening can make you a better leader [Blog]. Forbes.
• MacLeod, L. (2016). Listening: More than what meets the ear. Physician Leadership Journal, 3(4), 14-19.
• Document: Professional Reflection homework Instructions [pdf document].