We all intuitively know that failure to listen critically can have undesirable consequences. For example, poor listening can lead to poor performance evaluations in school or on the job. Poor listening can also lead to worse consequences such as deaths in an operating room or on the battlefield. People know this and yet they generally do not listen actively. You can't change others but you can change yourself. Regardless of how good a listener you think you are, you can get better.

Review the supplemental material on active listening and respond to the following.Describe a situation in which you or someone you know failed to listen effectively. What were the consequences? In this instance, what listening technique might have prevented the undesirable consequence(s)? Now, what effective listening technique will help you most? Why?