Communication Skills – Listening
Do you think you’re a good listener? Most people think so, but they aren’t good at really listening to another person. As Winston Churchill said, “Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.” There are many factors that go into being a good listener. Let’s examine some of them here.
Patience is such an important aspect of listening. Do you have the patience to be with someone and really listen to them? Sometimes another person needs the time to vent and pour out their emotions in a way that makes many of us uncomfortable. Getting comfortable with this need requires understanding and patience. I’m sure you can remember a time when you were so agitated, angry, and upset that you needed to be heard and it may have taken some time to do so. We must recall these times and give the other person the same courtesy when needed.
We must also remember to really listen before we respond. Understanding where the person is coming from and what they need goes such a long way in communication. We can’t discover these things if we jump right in and fail to listen. We need to stop thinking about what our next comment will be and really listen – listen with an open ear and most importantly, an open heart. Doing so will bring about understanding and harmony in our relationships.
