Idea 82: Listening – a key element in communication
Listening has been called the forgotten skill in communication. It is more than just hearing, it is giving thoughtful attention to another person while they are speaking and being open to what they say.
The ‘disease of not listening’, as Shakespeare called it, has the following symptoms:
- Selective listening – turning a deaf ear to certain types of information that you don't want to hear. If you are a selective listener, people edit what they tell you and that can be damaging, both in business and in private life.
- Continual and badly timed interrupting.
- Day-dreaming – letting your mind wander.
- Easily being distracted by external factors, such as noise or temperature.
- Refusing to listen to anything ...
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