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Are You Listening?
“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.” — Ralph Nichols
Often two people in conflict complain the other is not listening to them. One person may talk over the other and not allow them to voice their opinions, or one person may remain quiet and yet still not be listening. Hearing someone does not mean you’re listening to their message. Active listening is much more than that! Finding a good listener is rare and being a good listener is a challenge. However, listening is an essential part of communication. Communication is about getting your meaning across to another person, and the quality of listening in the conversation is crucial.
Remove Distractions
Stop what you are doing and pay attention to what the other person is saying. There are two types of distractions, external and internal. Remove the external distractions, ensure you are not looking at your mobile phone. If necessary, change your location so you can reduce any possible external distractions. Give yourself a moment to stop the mind chatter, it is not time to think about your to-do list, the water bill requiring payment, or the next meeting you have.
