Listening is a crucial skill that we all need to develop. In my role as an English tutor teaching English to Asian students, listening is a skill that many of them struggle with. Now, of course, they are learning a new language. But at what level of competency is our listening skill? Have we, who have English as the native tongue, mastered this skill?
Our role here at Wealthy Affiliate raises an important series of questions. We all rely on technology to build our online business. More and more, people lament the affect technology is having on our ability to connect with others, especially face-to-face.
What about you? Has today's fast paced society caused you to overlook the vital role that the listening skill plays in our life? Has your use of technology lessened or enhanced your ability to listen? Do you find yourself relegating this skill to second place or lower?
Why Listening is a Crucial Skill
Mark Twain said, "If we were supposed to talk more than we listen, we would have two tongues and one ear." Now we can smile at his comment and almost brush it away. But more and more, business success stories are attributing some of their achievements and acumen to the ability to listen to others.
Richard Branson - We All Know Who He Is
In an interview with Entrepreneur.com and their readers, Richard Branson was asked what makes a business leader stand out from others. His reply?
"If you want to stand out as a leader, a good place to begin is by listening. Any organization's best assets are its people, and if you are ready to help the team to achieve its goals, you can start gathering information on how to move things along just by paying attention to what employees are saying.
"This skill will help you throughout your career. Leaders who are great listeners are often terrific at uncovering and putting in place strategies and plans that have a big impact."
In a recent Twitter post, Mr Branson also said,
"Listen: it makes you smarter. It’s a simple statement, but one that is all too often overlooked. Nobody ever learned anything from listening to themselves speak. The only way we can grow is by learning new things from other people."
So what, then, is listening? How would you define the skill. Page 2 has the answer...
Thank you.