Listening as a Communications' Skill:
Are you REALLY Listening?
Most of us do not realize the importance of listening as a communicative tool. Yet studies have shown that we actually spend 50% more time listening than we do talking. We often take listening for granted, never realizing that it is a skill that can be learned.
Watch someone who listens attentively. He/she makes eye contact and focuses on the other person while he/she listens. He/she listens with his eyes as well as his ears. While listening, he nods or makes attentive noises from time-to-time. This is both a skilled listener and an attentive listener.
The person he/she is listening to feels a sense of communication. Everyone wins with beneficial listening.
After your next conversation, test your ability to benefit from listening to that conversation. Analyze and ask yourself:
- What did I learn from the other person(s)?
- What did I learn about the other person(s)?
- Who did more talking ?
- Who did more listening?
- Did anyone interrupt?
- What questions should I have asked?
- What questions should I have answered more thoroughly?
- Was I absolutely certain I understood everything?
- Did I ask for clarification?
- Did I practice acknowledgment?
- Did he or she practice acknowledgment?
- Were both parties attending?
- Was the conversation balanced?
- Did anyone keep changing the subject?
- Did anyone get angry?
- Did anyone appear sad?
- Was everyone paying attention?
- What will I do different in my next conversation?
The ability to listen is a skill that can be improved with use. This skill can and will improve all your relationships with friends, mates, partners, children, and co-workers, even your boss! |