Being an effective listener

What are the values of being an effective listener?

It helps you achieve your personal, business and communication goals.
Before you can help someone you need to understand the core issue and get to the bottom of it. If you don’t understand the problem, or misunderstand it, chances are that the solution will be wrong too.

It prevents mistakes that make it necessary to redo work.
Many, if not most mistakes are due to poor communication. Take the time to listen. After all, if you don’t have the time to listen properly, what makes you think you have the time to redo the work?

It helps with problem solving.
People who’ve been heard are more likely to help you and/or share information, so make sure you pay attention to what they’re saying. Also, getting to know the facts will help you solve the problem, and the right problem.

It improves your relationships.
Listening to people shows them that you value their opinions and ideas. That will lead to improved trust, cooperation and respect between you.

It facilitates self-development.
Active listening requires you to focus on others, and to empathize with them. You will need to draw upon your self discipline to make sure you’re motivated to listen, concentrated on the message, and try to comprehend what’s being said

[Image by David Hale-Smith (CC)]