Listening Revisited

In our world, there are many topics that deserve attention. The importance of having a spare umbrella on-hand, why we should chew with our mouth closed, and the benefit that seeing a good western from time to time brings to the lives of all movie goers are just a few examples of this. But one topic deserving multiple visits, discussion and analysis is listening. While it is an act of communication that all of us, according to researchers, spend over half our days doing, it remains an over-looked part of the communication process. Generally, most folks - myself included - do not give it nearly as much attention as we should.

This is too bad. Perhaps this is because we all take listening for granted. Perhaps because we all do it - or believe we do - it is viewed as not being much of a big deal. Or perhaps because when it comes to communication, the spotlight is usually on the sending part of a message rather than the receiving. After all, how well people speak and how effective they are in articulating information or a message is simply more fun. It is not unlike analyzing a football game. It is much more enjoyable to focus on the quarterback then it is the right guard even though that offensive lineman is critical to the success of any play.

The fact is how well one listens is what ultimately determines the success of an act of communication. It is important to note here that by listening, I mean far more than simply hearing words or sounds. That is a physical act. What I refer to is how well we comprehend what we have heard. Effective listening calls for intellectual commitment and focus. Simple hearing does not. Listening requires an effort to process what has been heard, including placing it in some sort of context with other messages and/or information one has picked up. Without question, we all need to give listening its due. It is far too important not to.