Requirement 1 (B)
Requirement
Communication
Track Communication Activities
Do ONE of the following:
Requirement
For three days, keep a journal of your listening experiences. Identify one example of each: Obtain information, Be persuaded, Appreciate or enjoy something, and Understand someone’s feelings.
Good Listener, Good Leader
Have you ever met someone and quickly forgotten their name? It can be awkward. Listening is a vital skill—scientists say we learn 85% of what we know by listening. But listening isn’t just hearing; it’s actively receiving. When you focus on the speaker, you understand more, remember better, and retain information longer.
Identifying Communication Methods Through Effective Listening Skills
Obtain information
When you listen to your teacher in school or to your Scoutmaster at a troop meeting, you are listening to gain information.
How Informative Speeches Help Us Obtain Information
Be persuaded
You may have listened to a friend who is trying to persuade you to buy the latest version of or update to a
video game.
Lets Learn More About Persuasion In Everyday Life
How Informative Speeches Help Us Obtain Information
Lets Learn More About Persuasion In Everyday Life
Appreciate or enjoy something
Perhaps you have listened to sounds in nature or music that helped you relax during a stressful time.
Discover How Different Forms of Communication Shape Our Joy
Understand someone’s feelings
Listen to your friend that is going through a challenging situation.
Conflict often brings out strong emotions. Let’s explore how to respond with empathy when facing disagreements with others.
Discover How Different Forms of Communication Shape Our Joy
Conflict often brings out strong emotions. Let's explore how to respond with empathy when facing disagreements with others.
Tips for Better Listening:
Pay Attention
It’s natural for your mind to wander while someone speaks, but good listeners resist the urge to focus on their own response and stay present.
Be responsive
A good listener shows they’re engaged by giving clear signals. Instead of getting distracted, maintain eye contact, nod occasionally, and respond briefly with phrases like “I see” or “That makes sense.”
Restate what you heard.
Another great listening skill is to state what you think the speaker just said, using your own words. Ask questions if necessary. This helps you make sure you understood what was said.
Check out the four ways to improve your listening skills.
Check out this printable Journal Template
Simple and Accessible Journaling tools for Desktop or Laptop
- Google Docs: This program makes it easy to share with your counselors and can support your text, images and links to resources if needed.
- Microsoft OneNote: Great program for organizing your information into sections. You can also add audio notes to the document.
Journaling tools used on your phone
Now that you have identified the different ways you listen,
lead a small group discussion and observe how well Scouts listen and communicate with each other.
