PUB3702
Assignment 2
Semester 1
Due March 2026
, Question 1
Would you say that Sam Maluleke is a good listener?
No, Sam Maluleke cannot be regarded as a good listener.
Listening, in a management and workplace context, is not only about hearing words. It
involves giving full attention, encouraging the speaker to explain their thoughts, showing
empathy, and responding in a way that makes the other person feel understood (Nel et
al., 2020). In the scenario, Sam clearly fails to demonstrate these core elements of
effective listening.
Firstly, Sam does not create a safe or welcoming environment for communication.
When Brian approaches him, Sam immediately sets limits by saying that Brian must be
quick because he has reports to complete. This sends a message that Brian’s concerns
are an interruption rather than important. According to Robbins and Judge (2019),
effective listening begins with giving the speaker undivided attention. Sam’s response
shows that his attention is divided, which discourages open communication.
Secondly, Sam interrupts and takes control of the conversation instead of allowing Brian
to explain his experience. Brian is hesitant and clearly struggling to express himself,
which suggests discomfort and possible anxiety. Instead of asking open-ended
questions such as “How have you been experiencing the team?” Sam jumps to
conclusions and tells Brian that he has not done enough to fit in. This reflects selective
listening, where the listener hears only what confirms their own assumptions (Hellriegel
et al., 2017).
Thirdly, Sam shows little empathy. Empathy involves trying to understand another
person’s feelings and perspective (Nel et al., 2020). Brian’s isolation at work, eating
lunch alone and avoiding social interaction, may point to deeper issues such as lack of
confidence, cultural differences, or difficulty adjusting to a new environment. Sam
ignores these possibilities and places full responsibility on Brian without acknowledging
how challenging integration into an established team can be. This one-sided response
shows poor listening and weak interpersonal sensitivity.
Assignment 2
Semester 1
Due March 2026
, Question 1
Would you say that Sam Maluleke is a good listener?
No, Sam Maluleke cannot be regarded as a good listener.
Listening, in a management and workplace context, is not only about hearing words. It
involves giving full attention, encouraging the speaker to explain their thoughts, showing
empathy, and responding in a way that makes the other person feel understood (Nel et
al., 2020). In the scenario, Sam clearly fails to demonstrate these core elements of
effective listening.
Firstly, Sam does not create a safe or welcoming environment for communication.
When Brian approaches him, Sam immediately sets limits by saying that Brian must be
quick because he has reports to complete. This sends a message that Brian’s concerns
are an interruption rather than important. According to Robbins and Judge (2019),
effective listening begins with giving the speaker undivided attention. Sam’s response
shows that his attention is divided, which discourages open communication.
Secondly, Sam interrupts and takes control of the conversation instead of allowing Brian
to explain his experience. Brian is hesitant and clearly struggling to express himself,
which suggests discomfort and possible anxiety. Instead of asking open-ended
questions such as “How have you been experiencing the team?” Sam jumps to
conclusions and tells Brian that he has not done enough to fit in. This reflects selective
listening, where the listener hears only what confirms their own assumptions (Hellriegel
et al., 2017).
Thirdly, Sam shows little empathy. Empathy involves trying to understand another
person’s feelings and perspective (Nel et al., 2020). Brian’s isolation at work, eating
lunch alone and avoiding social interaction, may point to deeper issues such as lack of
confidence, cultural differences, or difficulty adjusting to a new environment. Sam
ignores these possibilities and places full responsibility on Brian without acknowledging
how challenging integration into an established team can be. This one-sided response
shows poor listening and weak interpersonal sensitivity.
