Facilitation: Listening Filters

Relating Skills — Listening Skills

Listening Filters

When we listen to people, we listen through “filters” that may color what we hear. It is important to think about these filters before responding to what someone said. The following lists some examples of filters: 

  • ear_image001temp_002_facilitation_relatingskills_listeningPersonal interests
  • Preconceived notions and expectations
  • Voice tone
  • Biases and prejudices
  • Appearance
  • Positions of authority or lack thereof
  • Time
  • Mood
  • Noise and distractions
  • Relevance
  • Vocabulary and jargon
  • Body language and gestures
  • Values and beliefs
  • Attitudes and strong feelings

Adapted with permission from Soil and Water Conservation District Outreach: A Handbook for Program Development, Implementation and Evaluation. Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Soil and Water Conservation, 2003.