Hearing and listening are not the same thing
And it's not just a matter of alternation. Think for a moment and answer the following question honestly. How often during, for example, the last month, when talking with a stranger or someone you barely know, did you pay more attention to what he was saying rather than thinking about your next response? So as not to be deceived, move on - try to remember what exactly he told you. In most cases, this will be quite difficult to do due to the underdeveloped habit of not just listening, but actually hearing the interlocutor.
The realities of the information space are such that technology, which is designed to provide more convenient and widespread contact between people, at the same time is sometimes an obstacle to true understanding. And this, by the way, is the basis of effective communication. The ability to listen is the basis for accurately receiving and interpreting incoming messages and interacting with the interlocutor. Today, many top companies even conduct special trainings for their employees, where they teach listening skills. And this is not an imaginary concern or a senseless waste of money, as it might seem at first glance. Developing this skill allows you to better understand clients and build cooperation more productively, avoid common mistakes and work conflicts, and expand the exchange of information, which promotes creative and innovative work.
For example, a staunch follower of the idea that the main thing for creating effective communication within a company is the ability to listen is the famous businessman Richard Branson. The founder of the Virgin Group corporation has repeatedly stated this in numerous interviews and speeches. Research also confirms this: active listeners have more friends and a developed networking system, they are more self-confident and better protected from the negative effects of stress.
Returning to the stated topic, about and “listen,” despite all the similarity of grammatical structures, are two different concepts. The ability to listen, as a quality necessary for anyone who strives for effective communication, includes both. And how to learn this is described below.
Communication Skills Test Questions
1. If someone starts a boring conversation, would you try to stop it so as not to communicate?
Certainly
Maybe. But I'll try to do it as correctly as possible.
No, I’ll listen to the end - that’s what decency demands
2. Do you wait until the other person finishes speaking to express your own opinion?
No, I can get into a monologue, otherwise I’ll forget what I wanted to say or what to talk about
Most of the time I succeed
Of course, this is one of the rules of good manners
3. Do you avoid communicating with strangers because such conversations cause uncertainty and embarrassment?
Yes, there is such a thing
Only if the opponent seemed unpleasant
No, I don’t see anything wrong with that, I easily communicate with everyone
4. Do you correct your interlocutor if he makes mistakes in speech or pronunciation?
Yes, it will do him good
Only if the mistakes are very serious
No, that would be incorrect
5. Do you often pretend to be listening when in fact you are thinking about your own affairs?
Yes, often
Rarely, but it happens
No, I always listen carefully
6. If the topic of conversation is unpleasant to you, will you interrupt your interlocutor in order to quickly end it and stop communicating?
Yes, and as soon as possible
I admit this scenario
I'll listen to the end
7. Do you use a dismissive tone in a conversation with an opponent who means nothing to you?
Yes. Since he doesn’t mean anything, he doesn’t deserve any other tone
Sometimes such notes slip through involuntarily
No, that would be too rude
8. What is more important for you: conveying your own opinion or hearing what your opponent thinks?
First of all, you need to love yourself, so my opinion comes first
It depends on the circumstances
The interlocutor’s opinion comes first
9. During communication, are you able to empathize with your interlocutor and experience similar feelings to him?
No
Sometimes it happens
Yes, I am always on the same wavelength with those I communicate with
10. During communication, I often think that I could spend my time more usefully by spending it instead of talking on my favorite activities.
This is true
If you come across a very boring interlocutor
No, any communication is always interesting and informative
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Reviews and comments
Do you know how to listen to your interlocutor? And is this necessary in general, because if a person wants to convey some information, he will do everything possible to do this. Share your thoughts.
We also recommend reading:
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- Exercises for the brain. Part two
- 10 Ways to Improve Your Communication Skills
- How to be interesting and find contact with any person: advice from a practitioner
- How to become better tomorrow
- How to become an active listener
- 6 Effective Communication Techniques
- Development of communication skills
- Effective communication
- How to improve your listening skills
- Six Key Principles of Effective Communication
Key words:1Profiling
Human psychology: what is the interlocutor waiting for?
When a person tells us about his problems and experiences, he expects support - this is psychology. He wants to be listened to, sympathized with, and respected for his feelings
It is important for him to convey his vision of the situation and personal emotions. The person you are talking to least expects criticism or condemnation, even if you express your assessment with the best intentions.
A person who knows how to listen, supports, but does not solve problems. He restrains his desire to speak out, so he does not lose the trust of his interlocutor. When a person shares his secret, he does not expect you to tell him what to do. But you can help with leading questions.
Try to figure out what the person’s psychology is and unobtrusively ask what he is going to do next, what his plans are. This will force him to think constructively and make a decision. Such help is much more effective than direct advice and recommendations, which people often do not perceive.
