The Importance of Listening
The Importance of Listening
“Listen thrice. Think twice. Speak once.”
Anonymous
Communication is an important aspect of our daily life. But often, people fail to conduct a productive two-way communication because they don’t listen to another person’s point of view. They take listening for granted and keep talking. Change the habit for a healthy two-way communication and gain the desired results out of it.
Listening enhances your ability to understand the other person better and makes you a better communicator, but unfortunately, listening is difficult. Here you need to make a conscious effort, apart from hearing what the other person is saying, accept another person’s thoughts, contemplate, and understand it.
A tough task indeed!
Why it is so hard?
Several things that happened to us in the past and sometimes our habits and conditioning, influence our ability to listen properly. Sometimes we get distracted by an external element, or by our own thoughts. Some more reasons behind a poor listening ability are- we have already decided on a response, we do not like that person or the whole communication is conflicting with our own opinion.
Why it is important?
Listening skills help everyone in a wonderful way. When you listen properly, you understand another person’s perspective, you absorb information more accurately that, in turn, improves the perception power of your brain. And, you become empathic because now you know the fellow person in a better way.
Moreover, if you are a good listener, you understand things better in your professional environment as well, your social life improves, and you build stronger relationships (by making people feel valued). An active ability to listen also improves your problem-solving skills.
How to Become a Good Listener
If you are a habitual ‘non-listener’, turn into an attentive listener by practicing. While communicating, don’t think about distractions, don’t jump to conclusions rather concentrate on what is being said; look attentive, nod sometimes and show that you are engaged in the communication. Let the speaker finish and never interrupt.
You may apply these points to both professional and personal scenarios. Focus on these and you will find that now you are more positively engaged in the communication, other people are now sharing more things with you and you are getting the desired results out of the communication process.
So, try not to misjudge the value of listening rather try to be a good listener. Powerful listening is an art everyone must learn.
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