“We were given two ears but only one mouth, because listening is twice as hard as talking."

Hearing is not the same as listening, as many of my clients and students point out. Understanding this concept is the start of understanding others. Here are a few thoughts from my students.

We listen to obtain information, understand, enjoyment and to learn. Without good listening skills we can miss out on very important information. When talking with your boss, clients and co-workers if you do not have good listening skills than you can not do a good job.

Thoughts move about four times faster than speech so be a good listener we need to hear correctly and precisely to understand this information and reflect it back upon the speaker.

“We were given two ears but only one mouth, because listening is twice as hard as talking."

This quote came from Larry Alan Nadig, Ph.D. He believes that active/reflective listening is the most important form of listening. This is when as a listener you repeat important information or respond to the speaker to verify that you have heard and understood what was said. This is agreed upon by many professionals as the most important form of listening.

I received information from:

www.studygs.net/listening.htm

www.drnadig.com/listening.htm

www.mindtools.com/CommSkll/ActiveListening.htm


Ken Nyberg