Listening Importance of Listening Skills

Listening Importance of Listening Skills: The act of listening is an important aspect of the communication process. Communication cannot take place until and until the receivers/listeners hear and retain the message completely and favourably. Listening is a fluid activity. Listening entails being alert and interested, as seen by posture and facial expressions. In the communication process, listening entails decoding (i.e., turning symbols into meaning) and accurately understanding communications.

Listening is critical in business communications.

(I) Active Listening Is Beneficial

When a listener pays full attention to the speaker, avoids interrupting the speaker, stays nonjudgmental, and exhibits genuine interest in the speaker, he is engaging in active listening. Full attention permits the listener to grasp what’s being indicated as well as interpret nonverbal signs like body language and facial expressions that may contradict spoken phrases. One of the most crucial parts of active listening is fully participating in the debate or conversation. Most difficulties may be solved with an open, welcoming stance and a few modest verbal words like “yes” or “I understand.”

(ii) The Importance of Listening in the Resolution of Conflict

Conflicts in the workplace and disgruntled customers stifle production and create an ineffective work atmosphere. The capacity to listen, on the other hand, might transform a negative circumstance into a learning opportunity. When a disgruntled employee or an unhappy client feels really heard, it may assist to calm the situation, alleviate negative sentiments, and open the door to actual issue solutions. Effective listening demonstrates genuine care for the speaker and their circumstances. This strengthens interpersonal bonds, laying the groundwork for commitment and trust.

(iii) The Listening Organization and Productivity

Effective listening may have unanticipated consequences that benefit both the speaker and the company. When a department, for example, takes the time to really listen to workers, she not only hears what they’re saying, but she also gains insight into what makes each person tick. A manager’s ability to encourage people depends on how well he knows his staff. This makes it simpler for a manager to decide on suitable incentives, such as public vs. private praise, new responsibility, or increased autonomy.

(iii) The Importance of Listening in the Management of Perception

The reputation of a small firm may make or break its future success and profitability. Good listening skills may help avoid misunderstandings, guarantee a pleasant first impression, and help a small company keep its good image. On the customer side, word-of-mouth is an effective marketing tool. Taking the time to listen and do it right the first time leaves an impression that may spread like wildfire.

(v) Establishing Effective Working Relationships

Listening is essential for developing strong working connections between employee groups and management and staff, but it’s also crucial when interacting with suppliers or vendors. It’s all part of establishing effective working connections that not only save time for both parties but also have the potential to provide major advantages. When sales revenues are low and the firm may benefit from an extended line of credit, for example, solid partnerships can help a small business.

Listening Importance of Listening Skills

Listening may be defined as anything from a show-off to a full-fledged act:

• Pretending to be attentive

In this kind of listening, the listener confronts the speaker for as long as he talks, across the table or on the phone line, and then switches off without registering the message. This isn’t listening; it’s just hearing.

• Listening selectively

This is the scenario when the message is changed from takable to non takable. When it comes to a crucial message, selective hearing results in just partial compliance with the instructions.

• Listening on the surface

When a listener merely hears the words and misses the message’s spirit, this is what happens. (Some authors refer to this as “attentive listening,” although this is a misnomer.) In the ordinary meaning, attentive listening is beneficial, however in this technical definition, “attentive listening” simply refers to a display of listening skills. Another humorous technical phrase is “precious writing,” which refers to the use of fancy words excessively or incompetently.)

• Listening intently

This concept emphasises the importance of listening and absorbing the complete message in both word and spirit. The tone, pauses, and body language associated with the words are all taken into account by the listener. To shift away from one’s predetermined position, one must listen intently. The receptivity of the listener allows him to be affected.

• Listening that is dynamic (and mutually creative)

Listening is a collaborative activity in which the listener contributes to the meaning being communicated. He generates “synergy” by combining his energy with that of the speaker. Dynamic listening is used to produce collective activities. It aids in bringing out the greatest qualities in the speaker.

• Listening with your ears

The power that is above reason is intuition, hunch, or sixth sense. It leads to a direct perception of reality. An intuitive listener can interpret the other person’s thinking with only a suggestion, an undertone, or a pause.

When one listens to high-quality music or finds natural or contemplative isolation, intuition flourishes. Deep listeners have the ability to form an opinion about what is being stated. A good mother can tell whether her kid is in a good mood by listening to them.

Listening Importance of Listening Skills: Obstacles to Good Listening

• Hearing loss

Listening is hampered when one’s sense of hearing is hindered. When one becomes aware of it, medical assistance should be sought.

• The chain of thinking of the listener

Almost all of the time, the mind is busy, thinking its own ideas. These may sometimes become quick and loud, impairing one’s receptivity.

• A message that is much too serious

Jargon or over-compression of concepts in an oral communication might make it excessively weighty for the listener.

• Talk that is fast or has an accent

When listening to some foreign radio stations for the first time, one obtains this sensation. While frequent listeners and those at home with the speakers’ accent can understand the broadcast, there is a barrier to listening for others.

• Prejudice or the listener’s sense of self-importance

There is no receptive attitude if the listener has elevated himself above the speaker. The listener has a “know-it-all” attitude and shows little respect for the speaker. Listening is further hampered if the listener has preconceptions towards the speaker or prejudices about the message’s subject.

• Misconceptions concerning the listener’s role

Some listeners may be unaware of their own position in a certain circumstance. They may believe it is the speaker’s job to thoroughly explain everything. They could dismiss their own function as a one-way receiver. They may believe that the speaker’s job elevates the significance of the opposing party.

• a cultural divide

Listening may be incomplete if the speaker and the listener have distinct cultural habits. The listener may place a different value on a word or phrase than the speaker intended. While Orientals are used to addressing a crowd in a formal manner, westerners are more often than not short. However, for an easterner, this may be distracting.

• Preoccupations

Some individuals listen to music while eating, drinking, or working on a project. In such instances, the focus of attention is split. For example, a busy manager would attempt to listen while filing files or opening the mail. This may detract from the listening experience.

• Ego

This ego issue operates as a stumbling block in the listening process if the receiver believes he is superior and refuses to listen.