Teamwork & Active Listening Teamwork and Active Listening

Teamwork There are many circumstances in which you have to rely on others How do you feel about working with others? Do you communicate well and trust others? Are you kidding me? I can’t wait! Golden Retriever Mix Examined in Animal Hospital When asked to do a group project for school, are you excited to work with others, or immediately frustrated at the mere thought of your grade depending upon the participation of others? In school, as in any situation, you often have a choice whether to work on your own or with others. There are many circumstances though, in which you have to rely on others to get something done. Imagine trying to get blood or other samples from a large dog. Would you want to restrain and draw blood on your own? And even if you and the veterinary technologist who you’re working with both know what you’re doing, you have to communicate and trust each other to do it properly. Could you do this on your own?

Working as a team can be beneficial Teamwork INTERDEPENDENCE DEPENDENCE Communicate about the situation Working as a team can be beneficial In the field of veterinary medicine, almost every case begins with team communication about the situation and a decision process to determine what is in the best interest of the animal before actually doing any procedure. That is the meaning of interdependence. Part of this word, dependence, is often seen as a negative thing. Being dependent or codependent are not things most people strive for. Interdependence, however, is quite different. Another word for it is teamwork. Learning to work well as part of a team can be very difficult, especially if you tend to be very independent. However, working as a team can often be beneficial to you or the outcome of a situation. Make a decision Perform procedure

INTERDEPENDENCE ACTIVE LISTENING Teamwork What you were saying Interdependence, or teamwork, requires building a good relationship with others. One tool that can be very helpful in building a relationship is active listening. How many times have you thought to yourself, “He doesn’t understand me!” The problem might have been what you were saying, the way you said it, or how the other person was listening. Using active listening can overcome these types of issues.   What you were saying The way you said it How he was listening

Good listening skills are important to every medical career Active Listening Good listening skills are important to every medical career Listen and comprehend Dear John, Love, Jane Tailor your listening technique to the situation Written communication usually allows you to read when you are ready, willing, and able. That’s not always the case with oral communication. Therefore, when someone is speaking to you, it’s important that you listen and comprehend, rather than just hear, what that person is saying.   Good listening skills are an important part of every medical career. Becoming a better listener and tailoring your listening technique to the situation will improve your overall communication skills. Most people hear, but don’t truly listen. When someone is talking to you, it’s easy to sit back and try to just absorb the message. Focusing on listening can ensure that you really understand what the other person is saying and help you respond appropriately. Ensure that you really understand Read when you want

Active Listening Feedback is the key to active listening There are four stages of listening You threw it away? Sensation Intepretation Because. Evaluation Reaction There are four stages of listening: sensation, interpretation, evaluation and reaction. Sensation is when your ear hear the sound. Interpretation means that you attach meaning to the message. Evaluation is when you become a judge, weighing the message against your own beliefs and values. Reaction is the feedback you give through comments or questions. When you begin to interpret, you may already have missed the speaker’s actual message. If so, your evaluation and reaction might come as a shock to the speaker because you will be responding to an entirely different message than he thought he was sending.   Feedback is the key to active listening. You can give feedback by either asking questions or making statements. Either method gives the speaker the opportunity to clarify the message. It also helps the listener focus on the message, rather than moving straight to interpretation, evaluation, or reaction. Ears hear the sound Attach meaning to the message Yes, I did. Weigh message against beliefs Make comments or ask questions Why? Focus on the speaker’s actual message You might respond to an entirely different message

Click on a scenario ► Without Feedback ► With Feedback Click here! Listen to the following the scenarios to see what a difference feedback can make.

Click below to continue A Conversation Without Feedback Let’s hire a housekeeper. I’m busy too, you know. Click below to continue I feel really overwhelmed with work… We can’t afford a housekeeper.. You’re saying you’re busier than I am? ► Watch With Feedback ► I’m done watching WITHOUT FEEDBACK Wife: I feel really overwhelmed with work, housekeeping, running errands, and taking care of the baby. I could really use some help. Husband: Let’s hire a housekeeper. Wife: We can’t afford a housekeeper. Why can’t you do more around here? Husband: I’m busy too, you know. I do yard work, cook, and help with the baby. It’s not like I have much spare time either. Wife: Oh, I see, you’re saying you’re busier than I am?

Click below to continue A Conversation With Feedback Okay, you’d like to…? I understand that you’re overwhelmed... Click below to continue That sounds good. Thank you! I feel really overwhelmed with work… I really prefer not to… ► Watch Without Feedback ► I’m done watching WITH FEEDBACK Wife: I feel really overwhelmed with work, housekeeping, running errands, and taking care of the baby. I could really use some help. Husband: I understand that you’re overwhelmed and would like some help. What do you have in mind? Wife: I really prefer not to drive around so much during the week, and maybe get some help with the laundry. Seems like it takes me all week to wash, fold, and put it away. Husband: OK, you’d like to drive less and spend less time on laundry. How about if I run some of the errands on weekends, and fold and iron the clothes? Wife: That sounds good. Thank you!

Active Listening What I want to say is.... Staff Meeting Notes Becoming an active listener takes practice Clarifying the speaker’s message can lead to a different outcome Write what you want to say What I want to say is.... You are bold. Staff Meeting Notes Things to Cover Action Items What I heard is.... What I think I hear is… Write what you heard As you can see, clarifying the speaker’s message can lead to a different outcome. People often react to what they think others are saying, rather than to what is actually said. Being an active listener can help you avoid that mistake. One of the best ways to give feedback is by using the phrase, “What I think I hear you saying is...”   Becoming an active listener takes practice. In some situations, it may help if you write down what you want to say and accomplish during a conversation. This will help you focus as you listen. Taking notes might also help you better understand and remember what you hear. For example, before attending a staff meeting, you might want to jot down some relevant things that you want to cover. During the meeting, write down any decisions made, action items (and who is assigned to each), and issues which will be revisited next time. What’s wrong with that?!

Change in posture/tone Active Listening Verbal Signals Non-Verbal Signals “For example” “In conclusion” Raised eyebrow Change in posture/tone Gestures When listening to others, pay attention to verbal and non-verbal signals. Verbal signals include “for example”, or “in conclusion”. Non-verbal signals can be things like a raised eyebrow, change in posture or tone of voice and gestures.   It may take a little more effort, but in the long run, listening actively can save you a lot of time and energy. It’s a skill that’s definitely worth practicing. Listening actively can save a lot of time and energy