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ACCA Applied Knowledge · Business and Technology · Communicating in business

During a team meeting, a finance manager notices that a colleague, while another person is speaking, keeps drafting a reply in her head and plans to interrupt as soon as there is a pause. Which of the following BEST describes the barrier to effective listening that is occurring?

The listener is focusing on her own planned response instead of the speaker's message. Effective listening needs full attention to what is being said. Paraphrasing and checking understanding are positive listening techniques, not barriers, so they do not describe the behaviour shown in this scenario.

  1. AThe listener is concentrating on her own response rather than on the speaker's messageCorrect
  2. BThe listener is using feedback to check understanding of the message
  3. CThe listener is paraphrasing the message to confirm what has been said

Explanation

Effective listening requires attention to the speaker's full message. Preparing a reply while the other person is still talking means the listener is not fully absorbing the message, so understanding is poor. Paraphrasing and seeking feedback are active listening techniques that improve understanding, so they are not barriers.

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