Listening and Communication

I’ve heard that you only retain 20 percent of what you hear. So maybe if you hear something five times you’ll be at 100 percent! Unfortunately, I don’t think many lecturers, orators, or teachers want to be stuck on one subject for days. Instead it is up to you, the listener, to extract as much knowledge from a speaker as possible.

Sometimes it is easy to listen to a speaker because you are genuinely interested in what they’re saying. For example, it’s easy for me to listen to others talk about the NCAA basketball tournament because I love basketball. However, if people talk to me about economics it will be harder to keep my attention. Listening is difficult when you are distracted or you’re just not interested in what the speaker has to say. I had a professor who told his students, “Even if you aren’t interested my class, at least pretend that you are listening. Those who pretend they’re listening will do better.” I’ve actually used this strategy for some of my “less intriguing” classes, and I must say I believe I got better grades out of those classes for pretending to listen. However, pretending to listen doesn’t cut it when important situations arise and you know you should pay more attention.

Listening skills are important to the communication process, and can be the difference between success and failure in a business setting. For example, salesmen and saleswomen need to listen to customers for their request for goods and services. Employees of a business need to listen to managers for instruction and training. Managers need to listen to employees for feedback. Really listening to what people have to say makes things sail along more smoothly.

The next time you listen to someone, ask yourself if you’re really listening and not just hearing words. After all, the first thing we’re taught as children is to stop, look, and listen. Although these are instructions for crossing a street, it also applies to communication. When you are listening to someone, stop your thoughts and limit your distractions. Look at the speaker and give him or her your undivided attention. Finally, really listen by understanding the feelings, opinions, and point-of-view of the speaker.

"Seek first to understand, then to be understood."

Stephen R. Covey

7 Habits of Highly Effective People