A vital aspect of interpersonal communication is the style with which you listen. While each individual has their own preferred method of listening in communication, it can be enlightening to analyze your own strengths and weaknesses so as to maximize effective communication. Within the confines of four main listening style categories, I have chosen the ones that best describe my personal listening style. After exploring the four different personal listening styles we had to choose from, I was surprised to realize that I am considered a people-oriented, content-oriented listener. Another listening style that came very close to the above-mentioned results was time-oriented listening. These results were completely unexpected given my high level of energy and desire to achieve goals, but they certainly seemed to prove themselves through my subsequent self-exploration. To determine whether or not my listening style changes in various situations, I decided to perform an evaluation of my conversations over the past ten days. The first evaluation I conducted occurred after volunteering at my son's school and produced some pretty interesting results. I reflected on my conversations with teachers and decided that my listening style was more content-oriented; while my interaction with children was almost completely people-oriented. I anticipated that my listening style would be more balanced across all age groups involved; however, I was unable to pass on many of the details discussed with the children once my volunteer period ended. I am happy to say that I retained most of the content of my conversations with teachers, but I had no memory of an emotional impression with t...... middle of paper ....... Through the evaluation of both my own and others' reactions, I realized the significant impact that the improper use of a particular listening style can have. These effects extend beyond social and professional environments and in some cases can produce unwanted negative effects on the family. I didn't realize that the two listening styles I most commonly use could be so incredibly polarized when it comes to employing critical listening. As a result, I have devised appropriate steps that I believe can help create a more balanced conversation environment and improve my overall effectiveness in communication. I was surprised to find that my listening styles aren't always conducive to the environment I listen in; however, I am consequently forced to take the necessary steps to achieve higher quality communication in every aspect of life.