September Blog Post

Chase Sahlin

COM 160

September Blog Post

         Communication is extremely important in nearly every setting, but I have figured out that it is absolutely vital while in college. Unfortunately, I think this big technology era has destroyed a lot of our communication skills. One skill I think a lot of people struggle with is active listening. As Ann Russo said in Between Speech and Silence, “Active listening, to me, implies a willingness for our identities, ideas, theories, and actions to be transformed in the process of dialogue”. I think that this is the best description of active listening that I have heard because it really describes the importance of this skill. I have come to the realization that active listening is absolutely vital while being a proper communicator.

         For example, when I arrived at college I didn’t realize how important active listening was. Obviously when you get to a new place for the first time, you’re going to meet a lot of new people very quickly. I did this like everybody else, but after I would have the conversation with others, I would realize that I remembered most of what I said, but I would have a really hard time remembering what the other person said. As this happened more and more, it really began to annoy me. I slowly began to realize that while the other person is talking, I would just be thinking of what I was going to say in response, rather than listening closely to what they had to say. This is a terrible example of active listening. I realized that this bad habit needed to change quickly. As classes began, active listening became more important, and fortunately active listening became a lot easier while I was in the classroom. I realized that active listening gets easier when there are benefits of communicating with someone. After I figured this out, I have become a lot better at active listening. I am extremely grateful that I have figured this lesson out because not only has this skill helped me in school and relationships, it has also helped me with my confidence. I am now a lot more confident asking questions and starting conversations because I am able to keep track of what people are saying with my new found skill.

        In conclusion, there are many very important aspects to successful communication, but I believe active listening is the most important. When you are a good active listener you become a better communicator instantly because you are so much more invested in the conversation. This requires a certain level of openness as a listener as well. It is definitely not an easy skill to master, but it is certainly necessary in order to become the best communicator you can be.