Tell us about a conversation you couldn’t help but overhear and wish you hadn’t.
Working in mental health nursing from the age of 18, I learnt quickly how to focus on a room full of conversations. My active listening skills allow me to pick up on things I need to know, allowing me to intercept and redirect conversations if necessary. Despite the many and varied conversation I have listened to in over 30 years I have never overheard something I wish I hadn’t. I have however heard many conversations that my active listening skills have changed the outcome for.
My listening skills use more information than just the words the other person is speaking. I add
Look at other person
Include body language
Stop talking
Trust
Empathy
Notice the environment
Your prompt reminded me of a conversation I overheard in the doctor’s waiting room. Here is part of the Facebook post I made that night:
“Today I sat in the doctor’s waiting room feeling just a bit sorry for myself. And then I cried. Not for myself, but for the grown man in tears as he talked to some bureaucrat on the phone. He begged and pleaded for his “case” to be reviewed on current information, not an old report. He tried to explain that he had been unable to work for 18 months, that he couldn’t work the 15 hours a week they seemed to think he could, that he had no money but, chillingly, he did have life insurance. I hope that wasn’t something he was hoping his family could take advantage of. He got up and went outside (to cry a bit more I think). He hobbled and limped, hunched over his crutch. He came back in and made some more calls. A lady brought him some tissues. He cried some more and talked to his mother. I wasn’t eavesdropping but it was hard not to hear. After the appointment he stood at the desk to pay and a nurse rushed to bring him a chair as he started to collapse. He was so embarrassed. And you know what, he wasn’t even there for himself. He was there for his beautiful little daughter.
This man was so polite and quiet on the phone to the anonymous person at the other end. If it had been me, they would have thrown me out for being loud and rude.
I don’t know where he worked before but I have to wonder where “they” think he could work even 15 hours a week when he can barely stand or walk. He was so clearly in pain and so frustrated with the process.
What is going to happen to him? I just hope his family won’t be accessing his life insurance. His daughter needs her Daddy.”
Hopefully the bureaucrats will review his individual case and he gets the help that he and his family needs. Rules can sometimes be frustrating for everyone.