Part 1 Focuses On Listening; It Also Brings Up The Term Acti

Part 1focuses On Listening It Also Brings Up The Term Active Listeni

PART 1: focuses on listening. It also brings up the term active listening. When is the last time you actively listening? What's the context? Who were you listening to? How do you normally listen in conversation? What did you feel while listening? What did emotion did you perceive in the speaker? What did you learn? How can you be a better listener? Who deserves better active listening from you? Which of the types of listening do you typically do? Please, reflect and share on these questions below.

PART 2: Bias- prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, usually in a way considered to be unfair. EVERYONE has biases. You can biased to a certain color, sport or time of day. Bias that are based on peoples' identity is where things get complicated. Harmful bias historically leads to harmful action, policy, and treatment. While this videos may seem to focus on how people speak as a reason their voice is often invalidated, the biases are actually rooted in a number of issues including but not limited to racism, patriarchy, anti-blackness, classism, and so on. Why don't we listen to some people? Are they too emotional? Do they speak too badly? Do they not seem educated enough? What biases do you have as a listener? What are triggers for you? Please, reflect and share below.

PART 3: focuses on delivery. I have provided a video with vocal warm ups for you to try before your next speech. TRUST ME IT HELPS. What improvements are you hoping to make in delivery as you prepare for your next speech? What method of presentation have you been using? Remember we shouldn't be using. Identify at least one concept to reflect and share the improvements you hope to make.

Paper For Above instruction

Effective listening, awareness of biases, and delivery skills are integral components of impactful communication. This paper explores personal reflections on active listening, biases influencing our interactions, and strategies for improving speech delivery.

Reflecting on Active Listening

Active listening is a crucial skill in fostering meaningful communication. The last time I engaged in active listening was during a recent team meeting at work. I paid close attention to a colleague sharing their project progress, consciously avoiding distractions and demonstrating genuine interest through verbal affirmations and body language. This experience highlighted the importance of being fully present, which allowed me to better understand the speaker's concerns and ideas. Typically, I listen in conversations by primarily focusing on the words spoken, often multitasking which sometimes hampers true engagement. During this experience, I felt attentive and empathetic, sensing the speaker's enthusiasm and occasional frustration. I learned that active listening enhances mutual understanding and trust. To become a better listener, I aim to minimize distractions, use reflective questions, and maintain eye contact to show engagement. I believe that family members and colleagues who share their thoughts deserve more attentive listening from me, especially when their opinions differ from mine. Generally, I tend to practice empathetic and comprehensive listening, but I realize there is room for improvement by incorporating more reflective listening techniques.

Understanding Biases and Their Impact on Listening

Bias—prejudice in favor of or against certain individuals or groups—often unconsciously influences how we listen and interpret others' messages. Everyone holds biases, whether related to appearances, social status, or cultural background. When biases rooted in identity—such as racism, sexism, or classism—are at play, they can impede open, fair-minded listening and perpetuate injustices. For example, dismissing voices as “too emotional” or “not educated enough” reflects underlying biases that devalue certain groups’ perspectives. As a listener, I recognize that I may have biases triggered when someone expresses an opinion differently from mine, or when their tone or accent seems unfamiliar. Triggers for me include hearing emotional expressions that seem exaggerated or language barriers that challenge comprehension. Recognizing these biases is a first step toward becoming more equitable and attentive listener. It encourages me to approach each conversation with humility and a willingness to understand beyond superficial judgments.

Strategies for Improving Delivery

Effective speech delivery involves vocal presentation, body language, and confidence. I have been using a conversational style in my presentations, which feels natural but sometimes lacks audience engagement. Based on the vocal warm-up video I reviewed, I intend to incorporate warm-up exercises to enhance my vocal tone and clarity before speeches. My main goal is to improve projection and expressiveness to captivate my audience from the start. One concept I aim to adopt is the Power of Pauses—using intentional pauses to emphasize key points and give the audience time to process information. Improving delivery involves practicing these techniques consistently and seeking feedback. I believe these adjustments will help me deliver more dynamic, engaging speeches that leave a lasting impact.

Conclusion

In conclusion, developing active listening, understanding our biases, and honing delivery skills are vital for effective communication. Reflecting on personal experiences and consciously working to improve these areas can lead to more meaningful connections and persuasive presentations. As communicators, continuous self-awareness and targeted practice are essential in becoming more effective and empathetic speakers and listeners.

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