Dimensions of professional listening competence in the legal context

Abstract

When examining listening competence researchers have been interested primarily in the listening that takes place in personal relationships. This qualitative study (N ¼ 113), focusing on courtroom communication and drawing on social cognitive theory (SCT), approaches listening from both theoretical and practical perspectives by examining the dimensions of professional listening competence, analyzing it from a taxonomic perspective, and examining the manner in which personal agency is used when applying professional listening competence. In addition, the role of professional listening competence in promoting well-being at work is discussed. The findings suggest that the emphasis placed on the dimensions of listening competence differs depending on whether general or professional listening competence is being examined. In the latter, the contextual dimension forms a strong basis that the other dimensions build on, whereas for general listening competence all dimensions are equally important. The agentic perspective that attorneys apply to listening functions on all taxonomic levels of listening, indicating that there is a profession-based requirement for active, self-regulated listening. The findings also indicate that attorneys' use of personal agency and the self-regulatory mechanisms of listening lead to an elevated sense of self-efficacy, which increases their subjective sense of well-being at work.In organizational contexts, people often knowingly participate in communication situations with a specific goal in mind. As a process in which meanings are created and shared, listening plays a crucial role in this interaction (Wolvin, 2010). Because efficient listening forms the basis for successful communication, communication situations in professional settings require a highly developed listening competence.