There are two parts to active listening.
Two Cups of Active Listening
The listening without speaking part is obvious.
What’s not so obvious is the listening with
- honor
- consideration
- and caring.
These require exercising patience, which goes out of the window if you are dialed in on what you’re saying and thinking–and how to respond to the other person–rather than the actual emotional content of the other person’s statements.
-Peace Be With You All-
Jesan Sorrells, MA
Principal Conflict Engagement Consultant
Human Services Consulting and Training (HSCT)
Email HSCT: hsconsultingandtraining@gmail.com
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Jesan,
Excellent post. Listening, above all else, is what matters most. Active listening is the most important skill you will ever master. Everyone can learn to actively listen, unless they are hearing impaired. Active listening is not easy and takes effort.
Active listening is the key to effective communication. Miss communication is very expensive! In order to have the chance to actively listen, you need to be approachable by everyone. If people aren’t comfortable approaching you, you won’t have the opportunity to actively listen!
People often confuse hearing and listening. Hearing is a passive occurrence that requires no effort. Listening is a cognitive, emotional skill, something you consciously choose to do. Listening requires your attention and concentration so that your brain processes meaning from words and sentences. Listening leads to learning.
“Most people tend to be hard of listening rather than hard of hearing.”
Author unknown
“Most people don’t listen with the intent to understand, they listen with the intent to reply.”
Stephen R. Covey
Thanks for commenting, Tim!