Just Listen

Listening. What does this mean? It means so much more than merely opening up ones ears.Listening includes opening ones ears to what the other is saying as well as paying attention to subtle or even overt cues such as body language, eye contact, gestures and tone.

Another facet of listening includes how the listener themselves responds to the speaker.  That is, it is important that the listener not interrupt the speaker at any point. Hold questions or suggestions until the end. This ensures a thorough inventory of the entire content of the speaker and prevents the listener from jumping to conclusions or the dynamic between listener and speaker to get confused.

I challenge each and everyone of you to try to implement the listening skills I have listed above and see how well it enhances your communication.

I will leave you with the following quote:

“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

~ Piper Williamse, LMT