!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> Streamline Training & Documentation: Roadblocks to Listening

Monday, July 23, 2007

Roadblocks to Listening

In reading material relating to motivational interviewing for yesterday's post, I came upon a list of roadblocks to listening developed by Thomas Gordon that provides useful food for thought.

Gordon's twelve roadblocks are:
  • Ordering, directing, or commanding


  • Warning or threatening


  • Giving advice, making suggestions, or providing solutions


  • Persuading with logic, arguing, or lecturing


  • Moralizing, preaching, or telling [people] what they "should" do


  • Disagreeing, judging, criticizing, or blaming


  • Agreeing, approving, or praising


  • Shaming, ridiculing, or labeling


  • Interpreting or analyzing


  • Reassuring, sympathizing, or consoling


  • Questioning or probing


  • Withdrawing, distracting, humoring, or changing the subject
As in yesterday's post, it is clear that we are dealing here with guidance specifically geared to the needs of clients in a therapeutic setting. Therefore, there is only limited applicability to the business setting.

Still, I'd suggest recognizing that the roadblocks listed above are something a coach should be conscious of during that part of a conversation with an employee in which the goal is to understand clearly the employee's perspective. After such understanding is achieved, it's safe to proceed to discussion of how to address whatever problems or issues need to be resolved.

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