Listening Twice as Much as We Speak

Listening is an essential skill that many of us think we do well. We say something to a patient or a colleague, they respond, and then we listen. But are we really listening? Or are we merely listening to respond, or so focused on what we expect them to say, that we do not hear the actual response?

Hartley Jafine is a theatre and improv coach who specializes in communication skills for medical and dental students. In this conversation with Dr. John O’Keefe, Director of Knowledge Networks CDA, he explains that oftentimes, by presupposing what another person is going to say, we do not listen for their actual response, be it verbal or non-verbal. This can create miscommunication.

Jafine then walks through a simple communication exercise that encourages “close listening”, allowing participants to become more attentive and flexible with what is offered up by others, and he stresses the importance of listening skills in adapting to unpredictable situations.

We hope you find the conversation useful. We welcome your thoughts, questions and/or suggestions about this post and other topics. Leave a comment in the box below or send us your feedback by email.

Until next time!
CDA Oasis Team

Full Conversation (11..21")