How to Perform On-the-job Training - Dean Amory

6.11 Listening – An Essential Communication Skill
"The opposite of speaking is not listening. The opposite of speaking is waiting!"
This saying make sound like a joke, but it has an uncomfortable amount of truth in it. Most of us
like the sound of our own voices and we have to consciously make an effort to really listen.
Listening is an essential element in the art of good coaching. It involves concentrating on the trainee
and then making a suitable response. You need to listen so that you hear what the trainee is really
telling you.
You should not just be waiting for a chance to have your own say.
Part of being a good listener is being able to judge whether the speaker wants you to respond
verbally. There are other ways of giving encouragement.
Listening techniques
Certain responses from you will aid communication by making the trainee feel that they are
Being understood. You will not find it hard to recognise any of them. The real problem is in using
them effectively with trainees. This requires practice and patience.
Now try doing Activity 1C (below) which sets out some key listening techniques, the purpose of
each and how to use them.
Listening Techniques
Aim To develop your understanding of different listening techniques and some of their uses
when preparing a trainee for coaching.
Activity 1C
On the checklist below, list as many examples of listening techniques as you can find.
You could also use the checklist to analyse a television interview with a politician. See how both
sides behave and whether they ever employ anti-listening techniques!
Checklist for listening techniques
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