UNITED STATES ARMY INFANTRY SCHOOL

Combined Arms and Tactics Directorate

Combined Arms and Leadership Division
Communicative Skills Branch
Fort Benning, Georgia
CW9Z61
Advance Sheet

LISTENING

1. INSTRUCTIONAL INTENT: The OCS student will use the tools and techniques presented
to ensure that he listens effectively.

2. TRAINING OBJECTIVES: As a result of this instruction, the student will accomplish the
following objectives:

a. ACTION: Understand why effective listening is central to a leader’s success.

CONDITION: Given discussion.
STANDARD: Student can identify at least three reasons why effective listening is
central to a leader’s success.

b. ACTION: Identify the deterrents to effective listening.

CONDITION: Given discussion.
STANDARD: Student can identify at least five deterrents to effective listening.

c. ACTION: Identify the three levels of listening.

CONDITION: Given discussion.
STANDARD: Student can identify the three levels of listening: not hearing at all,
passive listening, and active listening.

d. ACTION: Identify ways to ensure effective listening.

CONDITION: Given class discussion.
STANDARD: Identify at least three ways to ensure effective listening.

3. STUDENT REQUIREMENTS:

a. Advance assignment: NONE.

b. Required Reading: NONE.

c. Supplemental Reading: NONE.

4. CENTRAL POINTS:
 a. Listening is central to a leader’s success to ensure tactical and technical proficiency, as
most of the information we receive about our professions is through listening. Also, a leader
cannot understand the motives, feelings, and concerns of those around him if he does not listen
effectively.

b. Normally, we do not receive instruction on effective listening; without knowing the

techniques of effective listening the listener can not maximize his proficiency in this area.
Environmental issues and personal bias impact on listening effectively.

c. Understanding what inhibits our ability to listen, how people learn, and the tools and
techniques of effective listening will allow the listener’s potential for learning to expand.