How's Your Listening Skills?

Do you:

	Most of the time	Frequently	Occasionally	Almost Never
1. Tune out people who say something you don't agree with or don't want to hear?
2. Concentrate on what is being said even if you are not really interested?
3. Assume you know what the speaker has just said?
4. Repeat in your own words what the speaker has just said?
5. Listen to the other person's viewpoint even if it differs from yours?
6. Learn something from each person you meet.
7. Find out what words mean when they are not familiar to you?
8. Form a rebuttal in your head while the speaker is talking?
9. Give the appearance of listening when you are not?
10. Daydream or snooze while the speaker is talking?
11. Listen for main ideas not just facts?
12. Recognize that words don't mean exactly the same thing to everyone?
13. Listen for what you want to hear, filtering the whole message?
14. Look at the person who is speaking continually while they are talking?
15. Concentrate on the speaker's meaning rather than on their appearance?
16. Know which words and phrases you respond to emotionally? Good or bad.

Scoring Index

	Most of the time	Frequently	Occasionally	Almost Never
17. Think about what you want to accomplish with your communication?
18. Plan the best time to say what you want to say?
19. Think first about how the other person might react to what you say?
20. Consider the best way to make your communication (written, phone, in person)?
20. Think about what kind of person you are talking to (controller, supporter, open, closed)?
21. Feel that you usually "get through" to the other person?
22. Think to yourself, "I assumed they would know that" after a misunderstanding?
23. Become defensive when the speaker vents negative feelings towards you?
24. Exercise regularly - three or more times per week?
25. Take notes when necessary to help you to remember?
26. Use notes in conversation to keep on track?
27. Hear sounds around you while speaking without being distracted?
28. Listen to the speaker neutrally without judging or criticizing?
29. Restate instructions and messages to be sure you understand correctly?
30. Come in with a statement about what you believe the speaker is feeling or experiencing?