Listening skills : A few pointers from our Master Manual

Effective listeners actively process what they are hearing


Remember: Time is on your side! Thoughts move about four times as fast as speech. With practice, while you are listening you will also be able to think about what you are hearing, really understand it, and give feedback to the speaker.

Exercise: Form groups and find out what different people do to become better listeners and which factors help them.

Exercise: Assign readings from a variety of literature (fiction and non-fiction, magazines, newspapers, novels, guide books, etc.) and follow up with a comprehension test – ask pertinent questions about each reading’s content. After each reading,analyze where members listen best and where they fail to listen effectively and discuss the possible reasons why this happens.

Exercise: Program three or four prepared research speeches (i.e. speeches in which the facts are important) and have a verbal Spot Listening Check after each speech.

Exercise: Do the same with other types of speeches. Then discuss which speeches – the research speeches, the humorous, the serious, the anecdotal, etc., are easier to listen to effectively and why.
Listening involves hearing, sensing, interpretation, evaluation and response.
We hear only what we want to hear and remember only part of what we have heard. Good listening can improve both the content and the quality of what we hear and remember.

A good leader is always a good listener. A good listener may be or may not be a leader - but a good listener is usually popular, which is an important step in becoming a leader. People like to be someone who listens well. We can improve our listening habits. It will take concentration and hard work, as our listening habits are the results of years of often unconscious behaviour. But it can be done, and today is a good day to start!

From: The POWERtalk Master Manual
Section 5.1 PowerTalk One
Results 61-70

Check out the Word for the Day - and communicate better!

Have you had a moment to look at the Word for the Day section in the side bar? Every day there is a word from the Oxford English Dictionary with a definition, origin and history as well as the implementation of the word, including quotes. You won't ever have to look for ideas for your Lexicology- or Grammarian's slot on the programme or for interesting words with which to spice up your presentations!

For example, today's interesting word is "skank". Did you know this word? You may have heard the word used by the teenagers waiting at the bus stop -- referring to someone they do not approve of as a 'skank', or 'skanking off' on their parents, and then you may have wondered where this word came from and what it means. (Probably this usage comes from the definition of 'skank. skanked', meaning, swindle or cheat. What do you think?) I most certainly did not know its 'real' meaning -- but I know it now -- thanks to our very own "Word for the Day"!

skank, v
orig. Caribbean.
1. trans. To throw (a person) over one's shoulder. rare.

1971 Daily Gleaner (Kingston, Jamaica) 14 Jan. 6/5 When they beat me and cut me up he..hold me from behind and I tried to skank him (throw him over my shoulder).

2. intr. To perform a freestyle dance to reggae music (cf. SKANKING n.); (hence) to perform or play reggae music. Also (colloq.): to sashay, strut.

1973 Weekly Gleaner (Kingston, Jamaica) 24 Jan. 13 The dancer, according to his mood, can rock slowly to the bass, or go all out and skank to the drums. 1987 Observer (London Suppl.) 20 Sept. 38/1 In London, you can..skank along Railton Road in Brixton until you come to The Legend, a bar built to celebrate the memory of Bob Marley. 1995 Wired Aug. 150/2 Under Cover has a talented DJ/singer skanking in a pleasing dance-hall style. 1998 C. CHANNER Waiting in Vain (1999) xix. 344 Behind her, beneath the thatch-roofed pavilions, the guests were skanking to old rock-steady choons and slamming dominoes on plastic tables and telling duppy stories.

3. trans. and occas. intr. To con, swindle, or cheat (a person).

1981 West indian World 31 July 4/1 Apparently Jaybird..a try skank him out of his hard earned bread. 1989 Independent 22 Mar. 19/7 Some of the younger girls on the Line try skanking{em}taking the money up front and then jumping out of the car. 1994 Sunday Times 16 Oct. (Style section) 26 You always buy from people you know, otherwise you get skanked and find you've spent, say, £50 on half an ounce of hash and they've given you less.

The Quote of the day!

"When one teaches, two learn."
-- Robert Half



Remind yourself just how true this is : Go to the International website, log in, click on Resources and type in Educational features. You will be astounded at how many features there are available to members -- interesting, informative, excellent quality educational features -- so much to learn, so much to teach - and so much with which to enrich and enhance your life and those around you! Enjoy!

Programme Tip for December

Are you struggling to get visitors to come back to your club meetings?
Are you finding it difficult to get new members to join?
Are you having to say goodbye to members?

No More! Logic tells you that if your club programme is interesting and stimulating and fun, you will not loose members, and you will attract new members!

Start thinking bigger. Start being bold and adventurous. Start breaking the old programming mould and shaping a fresh new one!


The December issue of the From the Boardroom, reminds members how to keep members happy and keep guests impressed! Offering inspiring, stimulating Programs is the way to keep members and guests coming back for more. The POWERtalk Website Resource Centre ► Education Features ► Club Assignments is the location where you find the Power Programmes Manual as well as dozens of other exciting programming ideas that offer quality training and coaching.

Power Programs is a manual full of ideas for programs from Art Appreciation, Using the Microphone to Understanding Customs and Cultures Around the World.

Clubs are asked to be responsible for providing programs that offer members a challenge to grow; keep them coming back for more; and for guests an incentive to join our organization.
Power Programs will help you to provide outstanding programs.

Another source of excellent programming material are the the two-hour POWERtalk short course modules. These are a great source of information when planning regular club programs. They are also excellent programs as last minute emergency fill in or as a regularly scheduled event. It gives each member the opportunity to practice the POWERtalk lessons, provides instant evaluation as the program progresses and helps each member gain confidence in their speaking abilities.
Look in the Master Manual at the POWERtalk short course section; at the end of each chapter is a list of suggested programming ideas and how to apply them to your club programming. The suggested Accreditation level applications are also listed.

The possibilities are endless --- no more excuse ever for boring and dull club programmes! A well planned innovative programme that stimulates, informs, challenges and entertains is a powerful vehicle towards packed club meetings!