In many work meetings, even those where important decisions need to be made, it is common to observe a phenomenon known as «selective listening» or «passive listening». This phenomenon occurs when participants are more focused on what they are going to say themselves rather than actively listening to others. This behavior can have negative consequences for team dynamics and the effectiveness of the decisions made.
Causes of the Behavior (selective or passive listening)
Some causes of this behavior include:
- Lack of communication skills: Not everyone has the ability to listen actively and respond constructively.
- Ego and competition: Individuals may be more interested in highlighting their own ideas than in collaborating.
- Distractions and multitasking: Technology and other distractions can prevent participants from focusing on the conversation.
- Insecurity and fear of judgment: Some people may be concerned about how their opinions will be perceived and therefore focus on preparing their responses instead of listening.
Academic Studies and Specialists
This phenomenon has been studied in academia and at major business schools. Here are some relevant authors and studies:
- Laura Janusik:
- Institution: Global Listening Centre
- Contribution: She has compiled research on listening and highlighted how selective listening affects communication in different contexts.
- Relevant Work: Research Findings on Listening
- Hanne K. Collins, Julia A. Minson, Ariella Kristal, Alison Wood Brooks:
- Institutions: Harvard Business School, Harvard Kennedy School, Columbia Business School
- Study: «Conveying and Detecting Listening During Live Conversation» (2024)
- Contribution: This study reveals that perceptions of listening during live conversations often do not align with the actual cognitive attention of listeners.
- Relevant Work: Conveying and Detecting Listening During Live Conversation
- Phillip Sandahl:
- Institution: Team Coaching International
- Contribution: He has written about the importance of active listening in team communication and how to improve it to avoid selective listening.
- Relevant Work: How To Improve Team Communication with Active Listening
- Aiste:
- Publication: MeetingKing
- Contribution: She has discussed common barriers to effective listening in meetings and how to overcome them to improve communication and decision-making.
- Relevant Work: Effective Listening: The Key to Successful Meetings
Strategies to Improve Listening in Meetings
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