Blog Post #1: Dialogic Listening

Blog Post #1: Dialogic Listening

In class, we discussed listening in communication. Specifically, we talked about the difference between hearing and listening, and the importance of dialogic listening. Hearing is a physiological experience and a passive act. To listen, we must have focus and attention while hearing messages from the sender. Dialogic listening is a special part of communication where the receiver learns and understands the message from the sender. This action proves that we critical compassionate listening as a stance towards relating to others and having a genuine understanding (Warren and Fassett, 2015).

                Anna Wasiak states there are four basics of dialogic listening. First, dialogic listening emphasizes conversation as a shared activity. Next, dialogic litening stresses an open-minded attitude towards conversation. Also, parties engaged in dialogic listening focus on what is happening between them, rather than what is happening within the mind of one another. Last, dialogic listening focuses only on the present, not the past and future. Wasiak mentions that with this process, there is back channeling to pay attention to the speaker’s cues and mentally sculpt the meaning of their message.

                John Stewart and Milt Thomas emphasize how dialogic listening seeks to improve upon empathetic and active listening. For me, dialogic listening is important in manager and employee roles. As a shift supervisor, I learned employees rely on dialogic listening to make sure their messages are communicated properly and vice versa. In this scenario, issues often arise because employees and managers can only partake in hearing, which causes tension. Although I was not aware of the term dialogic listening, I communicated with my employees that way to make their work experience better and have the store run smoothly.  

                In class, we mention how our messages are relayed in metaphors. Metaphors give a better meaning to our messages, so the listener can understand and be empathetic. For example, an individual can express feeling overwhelmed by saying they feel, “squashed” by their work. Employees can say their work is a weight on their shoulders, which can lead others to be empathetic.

                With dialogic listening, I learn to apply that to my daily life, especially in areas where I am in a teaching role with an individual. This reading emphasizes that critical listening is the key to being empathetic and an active listener.

References

Stewart, J., & Thomas, M . (2016). Dialogic listening. Retrieved September 10, 2017, from http://changingminds.org/techniques/listening/dialogic_listening.htm

Warren, J. T., & Fassett, D. L. (2015). Compassionate and Critical Listening. In Communication: A Critical/Cultural Introduction [Red Shelf version] (2nd ed., pp. 63-76). Retrieved from https://platform.virdocs.com/app/v5/doc/80520/pg/1/toc

Wasiak, A. (2013, November 4). Dialogic Listening By: Anna and Andy. Retrieved September 10, 2017, from https://prezi.com/stwcz7bmrnst/dialogic-listening-by-anna-and-andy/