Communication Bloopers_Part 6

On Objective Listening:

What is it like to be objective[/b] really?

It means to be impartial while listening/reading/watching something/someone. It is crucial as it doesn’t come naturally to everyone. It is a skill to be honed everyday and even at the end of the road, you will find that still some bias did creep in from some deep-dark corner of your mind.

If I had to put it in other words, I would say that it is the opposite of being subjective in your approach. Now what is subjectivity you ask? (And you are wondering why I am going in circles aren’t you? Well there is a reason and by the end of this you’ll know).

Subjectivity is being drenched in the colors of your emotions while you are processing something in your mind. Emotions are vibrant and they mix and mingle on the canvas of our life to make it worthwhile; but professionally they come in the way – to be blunt.

Being too subjective or less objective (tomaTo , ToMato) ; can result in misinterpreting the information relayed to you and mar the connection between the receiver and the sender of the message.

Some possible steps that may aid you and guide you on the highway of objectivity are :

1. Minimizing the use of emotional words like – exasperated, exhilarating, exuberating[/b] (I picked all E’s , I am sure there are tons of other examples.) , these words have a tendency of being contagious and reduce the objectivity of the receiver.

2. On the same note, even if the sender doesn’t adhere to step 1; the receiver should look past these and go for the content of the matter at hand.

3. Wait for a while to make a rigid impression in your mind about the message. Take it all in like the Sugarcane juice Extractor[/b]. It is made to extract every last piece of juice in the stem; several times….before the stem is thrown away.

 

[Dhruv Bindhani]

This article offers a clear and concise explanation of objective listening, emphasizing its counter-intuitive nature and the common pitfalls of subjectivity. It provides actionable advice for cultivating this crucial skill, particularly in professional contexts where emotional biases can hinder effective communication.

Defining Objectivity and its Challenges​

The author begins by defining objective listening as being "impartial while listening/reading/watching something/someone." The immediate acknowledgement that "It is crucial as it doesn't come naturally to everyone" sets a realistic tone, highlighting that objectivity is a skill to be honed rather than an innate ability. The further insight that "even at the end of the road, you will find that still some bias did creep in from some deep-dark corner of your mind" is a powerful and honest admission, stressing that complete impartiality is an ongoing pursuit, not a fixed state.

The contrast with subjectivity is well-articulated: "Subjectivity is being drenched in the colors of your emotions while you are processing something in your mind." While acknowledging the vibrancy emotions bring to personal life, the author bluntly states that "professionally they come in the way." This distinction between personal and professional processing of information is key to understanding the necessity of objectivity in the workplace. The direct consequence of excessive subjectivity is then clearly stated: "misinterpreting the information relayed to you and mar the connection between the receiver and the sender of the message."

Actionable Steps for Cultivating Objectivity​

The article provides three practical steps designed to guide individuals "on the highway of objectivity":

1. Minimizing Emotional Language: The advice to "Minimizing the use of emotional words like – exasperated, exhilarating, exuberating" (with a humorous self-aware note about picking all 'E' words) is pragmatic. The author's point that "these words have a tendency of being contagious and reduce the objectivity of the receiver" highlights the direct impact of emotional vocabulary on communication clarity and impartiality.
2. Focusing on Content Over Emotion (as a Receiver): Even if the sender uses emotional language, the receiver is advised to "look past these and go for the content of the matter at hand." This emphasizes the listener's agency in filtering out emotional noise to grasp the core message. It shifts the responsibility for maintaining objectivity to the receiver, regardless of the sender's communication style.
3. Delaying Judgment and Thorough Processing: The most insightful advice is to "Wait for a while to make a rigid impression in your mind about the message. Take it all in like the Sugarcane juice Extractor." This vivid metaphor perfectly illustrates the need for multiple passes and thorough absorption of information before forming a fixed opinion. The idea of extracting "every last piece of juice in the stem; several times" before discarding suggests a process of deep, iterative understanding rather than hasty conclusion-forming.

In conclusion, this article provides a valuable and accessible framework for understanding and practicing objective listening. By clearly defining the concept, differentiating it from subjectivity, and offering concrete, actionable steps like managing emotional language and delaying judgment, it equips readers with essential tools for enhancing communication clarity and professionalism. The "Sugarcane juice Extractor" analogy is particularly memorable, offering a practical image for thorough information processing.