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Listening is the most important part of communication.
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Listening is important for learning, forming relationships and resolving conflicts.
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Only with conscious listening can we change the world with positive effects.
“Most of the successful people I’ve known are the ones who do more listening than talking.” –Bernard Baruch
We need to teach listening as a skill. Every human being needs to listen consciously in order to live fully.
If we can move the world to where everyone is listening to each other we can create a world of connection, a world of understanding and a world of peace.
Listening is key to communication. Listening is important at all levels and all ages, for learning, forming relationships and resolving conflicts.
As children grow they learn through listening. Comprehension skills develop when adults read stories to children. Understanding the story requires listening. In addition, there are times when we can watch videos of presentations given by children. A good tactic is to ask questions after watching the video to determine how well they were listening.
There are many exercises that we can use to promote listening skills which, in turn, promote stronger communication. This includes a game of telephone where one person whispers a sentence to the person next to them. They go around the circle of people and by the time it gets to the final person it is very unlikely that the message has not been altered, in most cases, substantially. This is a great way to demonstrate the challenge of good listening. An example of a source of listening skills group exercises can be found at: https://blog.udemy.com/listening-skills-exercises/
Listening is the most important part of communication because if you fail to understand the message being expressed to you, you will also fail in providing a meaningful response. This is the root cause of many misunderstandings, complications or arguments at home, school or work.
In school we are never really taught to listen. We are taught speaking, reading and writing skills, but in general there are no courses devoted to listening.
Listening is the catalyst that fosters mutual understanding and provides us with insight into people’s needs and desires so that we can connect to them. The most effective people are those who everyone likes.
Everyone likes someone who is a good listener.
Listening is instrumental in the formation and strengthening of relationships. Listening is more than just hearing. Be aware of non-verbal cues such as gestures, facial expressions and posture. (body language). Be patient and sensitive to other person’s feelings and reactions.
One of the most basic of all human needs is the need to understand and be understood. The best way to understand people is to listen to them. Your chances of convincing someone that your ideas or concepts are good ones is much lower if you are talking rather than if you are actively listening.
Conscious listening creates understanding and only with conscious listening can we change the world with positive effects.
A world without listening is a very scary place. Thus, listening skills are an important aspect of coaching our youth.
What are your thoughts and experiences? Do you have any methods that we can use to improve our listening skills?
I look forward to hearing any comments you have on this all important subject.
Wishing you lots of love and laughter, as always.
Fred Jones
Victoria, BC Canada
Fred Jones