1.

Ethics in Public Speaking

A. Ethics in Public Speaking

• Ethics in public speaking refers to the moral principles that guide the behavior and decisions of speakers
and listeners in communication contexts.
• It involves adhering to standards of honesty, fairness, respect, responsibility, and integrity while
delivering messages.
• Public speaking ethics ensures that speakers respect their audience’s intelligence, rights, and dignity while
fostering a trustworthy and positive environment for communication.

Discussion: Maintaining a balance between the speaker’s freedom of expression and the audience's right to be
informed truthfully.

Example:
A speaker at a political rally may use ethical practices by citing credible sources, avoiding exaggerations, and
presenting different viewpoints respectfully, even when addressing opposing views.

B. Ethical Speaking

Ethical speaking refers to the responsibility of a speaker to communicate truthfully, respectfully, and
transparently. It involves choosing words carefully, presenting information accurately, acknowledging
sources, and avoiding manipulation or distortion of facts.

Discussion: An ethical speaker takes into account the well-being of the audience, promoting knowledge and
understanding without causing harm or exploiting listeners' emotions for personal gain.

This includes avoiding unethical tactics such as:

Plagiarism: Failing to credit the original source of ideas or content.

Misrepresentation: Distorting facts or fabricating information.
Manipulation: Using emotional appeals inappropriately to sway the audience without logical reasoning.

An ethical speaker strives to be fair, avoids prejudice, and ensures their message aligns with truth and respect
for all involved.

Example:
A speaker addressing environmental issues might use factual data and credible sources to discuss climate change,
rather than making unsupported claims or promoting misinformation to push an agenda.

C. Ethical Listening

Ethical listening refers to the active, respectful, and thoughtful engagement of listeners during a speech or
presentation. It involves giving the speaker full attention, considering their perspective, and responding in a
way that fosters constructive dialogue.

Discussion: Ethical listening requires that listeners:

Avoid prejudging the speaker or their message: Listeners should be open-minded, not forming conclusions
before hearing the entire message.
Respect the speaker: This includes listening without distractions, not interrupting, and showing genuine interest
in the topic.

Provide constructive feedback: When appropriate, listeners should engage in respectful and meaningful
discourse that contributes to mutual understanding.

Ethical listening also involves recognizing and addressing any biases or assumptions one might hold, making
an effort to listen with empathy and understanding.

Example:

In a debate about economic policy, ethical listening involves focusing on the speaker’s points without dismissing
them based solely on the speaker’s political affiliation. A listener might ask clarifying questions or provide
feedback based on what was actually said, not what they assumed the speaker meant.

2. Listening Effectively

A. Hearing versus Listening

• Hearing is the passive, physiological process of perceiving sound. It involves the detection of sound
waves by the ears and the transmission of those signals to the brain. It happens automatically and does not
require conscious effort.

• Listening, on the other hand, is an active, cognitive process where we focus on and interpret the sounds
we hear. It involves paying attention, understanding, evaluating, and responding to the information being
communicated.

Comparison: While hearing is a physical process, listening requires effort and intent. You may hear background
noise, but to truly listen means focusing on what is being said and engaging with it mentally. Effective listening
involves not just receiving sounds but actively making sense of the message and its meaning.

Example:
You might hear the sound of your phone ringing in the background, but to listen effectively, you need to pick up
the phone and engage with the person on the other end, processing their words and responding thoughtfully.

B. The Value of Listening

Listening is a crucial skill in communication because it helps in understanding, learning, building

relationships, and resolving conflicts. It promotes mutual respect and fosters connection between the speaker
and the listener.

Effective listening allows you to grasp important details, gather insights, and respond appropriately. It can lead to
better decision-making, stronger relationships, and fewer misunderstandings.

Example:
In a workplace, a manager who listens actively to their team's concerns and ideas is more likely to foster a positive
environment where employees feel valued, leading to increased productivity and job satisfaction.

C. The Three A’s of Active Listening

The Three A’s of Active Listening are fundamental principles to ensure that listening is not only effective but also
engaging and meaningful:
 • Attention: Give the speaker your full focus, avoiding distractions and maintaining eye contact.

• Attitude: Be open and nonjudgmental, approaching the speaker and their message with a willingness to
understand.

• Adjustment: Adapt your listening strategies to the message, adjusting your responses or clarifications as
needed for better understanding.

Active listening requires more than just passively hearing words; it means being mentally and emotionally present
during the conversation. The Three A’s of active listening ensure that you fully engage with the speaker and
interpret their message accurately.

Example: In a discussion with a friend, you listen attentively (Attention), maintain a positive and open mindset
(Attitude), and ask follow-up questions or paraphrase their points to clarify any confusion (Adjustment).

D. Barriers to Effective Listening

Barriers to effective listening are obstacles that prevent a listener from fully engaging with and understanding the
speaker’s message. These barriers can be internal (personal) or external (environmental).

Common barriers include:

• Distractions: External noise or multitasking can divert attention.

• Prejudices or biases: Preconceived notions or judgments can prevent listeners from being open-minded.
• Emotional reactions: Strong emotions like anger, anxiety, or excitement can cloud judgment.
• Lack of interest: Disinterest in the topic can lead to disengagement.
• Physical issues: Hearing impairment or fatigue may limit the ability to listen effectively.

Example: If you're trying to listen to a colleague's presentation but are distracted by a noisy environment, this
external barrier may make it difficult to fully comprehend their message.

E. Strategies to Enhance Listening

Strategies to enhance listening are techniques or behaviors that improve your ability to listen attentively and
effectively.

Effective listening can be improved by:

• Minimizing distractions: Choose a quiet, distraction-free environment.

• Maintaining eye contact: This shows you're engaged and helps focus attention.
• Taking notes: Jotting down key points can help retain and organize information.
• Reflecting: Paraphrase or summarize what the speaker has said to ensure understanding.
• Asking clarifying questions: If something is unclear, ask for more details or examples.

Example:
During a lecture, you might take notes and periodically ask the lecturer to clarify complex concepts, both of which
will help improve your comprehension and retention.

F. Providing Feedback to Speakers

Providing feedback involves responding to the speaker in a way that communicates understanding, appreciation,
or constructive critique of their message.

Feedback can be verbal or non-verbal and serves as a way to acknowledge the speaker’s message, encourage
them, or provide insights for improvement. Positive feedback encourages the speaker, while constructive feedback
can help the speaker improve or clarify their communication.

Example:
If a speaker presents an idea clearly, you might say, "I understand your point about environmental impact. Could
you elaborate more on how this solution will be implemented?" This feedback shows understanding while inviting
further discussion.

G. Encouraging Effective Listening

Encouraging effective listening involves creating an environment where both the speaker and listener are
motivated to engage meaningfully in the conversation.

Encouragement of effective listening includes:

• Creating a safe space: Foster a respectful environment where people feel comfortable sharing ideas.
• Modeling good listening: Lead by example and actively listen to others.
• Using clear communication: As a speaker, be concise and well-organized, so listeners can more easily
follow.
• Encouraging feedback and interaction: This helps keep listeners engaged and provides opportunities
for clarification.

Example:
In a team meeting, a leader can encourage listening by asking team members to summarize what others have said
before responding. This promotes active engagement and ensures everyone is on the same page.