Before you begin working to improve your listening skills, first look at where you are at this moment in each of the key areas of the Listening CARESS Model. Take a few minutes to respond to the questions below. Your responses will help you determine what specific skills need improvement.
 
C-Concentrate
 
1. When I talk with others, my mind is completely absorbed by what they are saying and it seldom wanders.
 
Always
 
Sometimes
 
Never
 
2. When in a conversation with others, I hold my comments until they are finished talking, even though my comments may have direct relevance to what they are saying at that moment.
 
Always
 
Sometimes
 
Never
 
3. I do not let distractions like ringing telephones, busy street traffic, or other conversations in a room distract my attention from what someone is saying to me.
 
Always
 
Sometimes
 
Never
 
A-Acknowledge
 
4. When talking face to face or on the phone with someone, I acknowledge what is being said with "I understands," and "I sees."
 
Always
 
Sometimes
 
Never
 
R-Research
 
5. Whenever I talk with someone, I encourage the conversation and ensure that it will be a two?way flow of communication by asking open?ended questions, clarifying what I don't completely understand, and giving appropriate feedback.
 
Always
 
Sometimes
 
Never
 
6. I let others know that I am listening and trying to understand what they say by using phrases like, "Tell me more about that," or, "Can you give me an example?" or "Then what?"
 
Always
 
Sometimes
 
Never
 
E-Emotional Control
 
7. While talking with others, I don't let myself get distracted with thoughts about their accents, clothing, hairstyles, speech patterns or other idiosyncrasies that they may have.
 
Always
 
Sometimes
 
Never
 
8. I judge and respond to only the value of what is being said rather than the way and manner in which a person says it.
 
Always
 
Sometimes
 
Never
 
S-Sensing
 
9. When I am talking with others, I read their body language, as well as listen to their words, to fully interpret what they are telling me.
 
Always
 
Sometimes
 
Never
 
10. When talking with others, I try to read what's going on behind their spoken words by asking myself what they might be feeling, why they are saying what they are saying, and what is implied by what they say.
 
Always
 
Sometimes
 
Never
 
S-Structure
 
11. Whenever I talk with others, I either take mental or written notes of the major idea, the key points, and the supporting points and/or reasons.
 
Always
 
Sometimes
 
Never
 
12. As I take my mental or written notes, I sequence - I listen for order or priority.
 
Always
 
Sometimes
 
Never
 
Now that you have responded to the items above, you have a road map for improving of your listening skills. Any item marked as "Sometimes" or "Never" identifies a listening skill that needs improvement. For any item marked as "Always" - Congratulations!
 
This article was adapted from Dr. Alessandra's newest audio album, The Dynamics of Effective Listening.