Better Listening Skills
- What do you find most interesting about the skill of listening?
- Do you agree with Treasure’s warning about the dangers of losing the ability to listen?
- What listening strategy presented by Treasure, would you like to try?
- Finally, in light of the assessment, share any personal listening goals you may have to improve your listening skills.
Be sure to respond to at least 2 others as well.
As a reminder, always connect to a scholarly source.
As a note, integrating a scholarly source for this post should go beyond mentioning the TED Talk. Aim for full credit and connect to a scholarly source beyond the TED Talk to show how the discussion ties to your studies in the course.
Incorporate material found in the unit presentations, the textbook, or other professional academic resources. Remember to cite sources appropriately.
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What do you find most interesting about the skill of listening?,
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Do you agree with Treasure’s warning about the dangers of losing the ability to listen?,
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What listening strategy presented by Treasure, would you like to try?,
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Finally, in light of the assessment share any personal listening goals you may have to improve your listening skills.
Comprehensive Response (APA-7 cited | ~250 words)
The most interesting aspect of listening is that it is an active skill rather than a passive one. Julian Treasure (TEDGlobal, 2011) emphasizes that intentional listening shapes our understanding of the world and strengthens human connection. Listening requires cognitive engagement, empathy, and presence—making it a fundamental component of effective communication in both personal and professional settings.
I strongly agree with Treasure’s warning about the dangers of losing our ability to listen. With digital distractions, constant noise, and fast communication platforms, our capacity to focus and process meaningfully is diminishing. Poor listening can negatively affect relationships, workplace collaboration, and even safety in fields such as healthcare and education. Research shows that effective listening improves relational satisfaction and reduces miscommunication (Weger et al., 2014), highlighting why Treasure’s concern is valid.
One listening strategy presented by Treasure that I would like to try is the “RASA” technique: Receive, Appreciate, Summarize, Ask. This approach encourages being fully present, providing acknowledgment, and confirming understanding—skills that support active and empathetic listening.
After completing the listening assessment, I recognized the need to improve my patience and attentiveness, especially when conversations are long or complex. My goal is to reduce distractions—like phones—and practice summarizing what I hear to strengthen retention and demonstrate engagement. By applying these strategies, I can become a more mindful, respectful, and effective communicator.