TOP 10 MYTHS OF LISTENING



TOP 10 MYTHS OF LISTENING

Most people consider themselves good listeners. Still, for all of us, this is a critical skill that could stand improvement. By being aware of the characteristics of poor listening, positive qualities can be cultivated and poor skills adjusted.

Myth 1: Everyone knows how to listen.

Many hear but fewer understand.... Practice and care create superior ability.

Myth 2: Sending messages is more important than receiving.

While outbound communication seems more significant, the abilities to hear and understand are equally important. Listening is frequently cited as a more important life skill than speaking.

Myth 3: Listening is easy and passive.

Effective listening is an active, energetic process that requires alertness and thought. Weariness and fatigue serve as communication barriers. Messages are neither heard nor understood well.

Myth 4: Hearing and listening are the same.

Hearing is sensory and involuntary while listening requires commitment, an act of the will, and perception.

Myth 5: An effective speaker commands the audience's attention.

Communication is a partnership. Without the listener's consent, listening does not happen.

Myth 6: Hearing and decoding constitute listening.

These are the beginnings but most of the process is mental. After understanding -- perception, analysis, and evaluation are still essential parts.

Myth 7: Communication is the sender's responsibility.

Communication is a two-way street. Both the sender and receiver need to be responsible.

Myth 8: Listening is done with the ears.

True listening takes in data from all senses. Nonverbal signals and other factors need to be taken into account.

Myth 9: Listening skills are practiced, not learned.

Practice alone does not yield improvement. Learning and augmenting skills enhances superior listening.

Myth 10: Listening ability comes from maturity.

Development comes from mastering listening skills, not [from] age.

(Reference: Robert Jerus, Adapted from "The Top 10 Myths of Listening," Copyright 2003 by Thomas Leonard, )

 

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