an investigative analysis of the psychological characteristics and job ...

Robbins and Hunsaker (1989:34-35) agree with the above and state that listening is making sense
out of what is heard. That is, listening requires paying attention, interpreting and remembering
sound stimuli. They conclude that active listening requires aperson to empathise with the speaker
so that he can understand the communication from his point of view. There are four essential
requirements for active listening. Aperson needs to listen with intensity, empathy, acceptance and
awillingness to take a responsibility for completeness.
Rue and Byars (1993: 57); Nelson-Jones (1986:135, 163) and leMon (2000:93) elaborate on the
above by defining listening as the primary method of receiving messages. It is a powerful way of
afliOlling another human being. Effective listening requires aperson to be able to respond helpfully
and it signals respect
The ability to listen is a characteristic that the CEl uses in his daily communications with all the
role players in the co-operative education environment He must be able to listen effectively to
respond correctly to the relevant communication.
2.4.24 Ability to Make Decisions
What happens in making adecision? Stone (1991 :43) answers this question by stating that the fact
that a decision has to be made must be discerned, and that criteria for choice must be set out
Facts and opinions must be obtained and analysed, alternatives must be set forth, the utility of
each alternative must be calculated, outcomes and side-effects of each course of action must be
forecast the action must be selected, implemented and monitored.
Newman and Hodgetts (1998:124-126) agree with the above. They conclude that decision-making
begins with a definition of the problem. The next step is to gather data about the problem. From the
infoOllation that is gathered, alternative solutions to the problem need to be formulated. Now a
decision has to be made regarding which of these alternatives will best solve the problem. The next
step is to choose the best aI1emative. Once the best alternative has been chosen, it is important to
analyse the consequences of the decision. Based on all the analysis, the decision should now be
put into action.
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