Observing
Within this guide, you will learn about components of observation and ways to improve your observational skills.
We 'watch' what others are doing every day.
- If you watch a television show or movie, you are watching the actors.
- If you watch a sporting event, you are watching the athletes.
- If you watch a choir, you are watching people sing.
- If you have children, you watch them do MANY things throughout the day!
In essence, we are observing people each day. But, how EFFECTIVE are we in doing so?
According to the Oxford online dictionary, "observation is the action or process of observing something or someone in order to gain information".
- Our observation skills inform us about objects, events, attitudes and phenomena using one or more senses. Being able to observe and gather information about the world is important because it's the basis of communicating well.
- Improving your observation skills allows you to “listen” with more than just your ears and make better decisions.
- It also enhances your ability to interact with others and to respond in an appropriate manner.
Communication is the key to success at work and at home. In the workplace, a good employee not only listens well, but is also aware of what is happening around them.
Source https://ccmit.mit.edu/observation/
Noticing: Attentional Work
Noticing involves two broad concepts:
- what it is that you observe (seeing)
- how you reason about what you observe (thinking)
- what decision are you making about what you're noticing
- example: you observe a co-worker leaning back in his chair with his eyes closed and arms crossed over his chest
- what do you infer about his body language and facial expression?
- what other possible inferences can be made?
- what are the outcomes or consequences of these inferences?
Why Noticing Matters
Noticing happens moment by moment, day by day, and is often invisible. Every minute we are attending to some things and not others and are drawing inferences about what we observe, with some of these inferences more favorable than others. What is so powerful is that noticing happens all the time.
What this means is that HOW we see contributes to what we understand about the contributions and behaviors of others. This has important implications for how we interact with others.
Developing Noticing Practices
Given the importance of noticing, practice noticing what's happening around you. Notice;
- body language and facial expressions
- levels of engagement
- different ideas, perspectives, and viewpoints
- interpretations of different ideas, perspectives, and viewpoints
- the big picture or the full scope of a situation
