This is what most people doesn’t want to do. When people get together or in a group they want to put forward their ideas, way of thinking and offer comments on the subject of discussion. No one is ready to listen.

Importance of listening can be gauged, if you can for a change listen to attentively.Pretending to be listening will not help you because your partner will easily feel that you are not listening attentively. If you can genuinely listen and ask for more details or better clarification etc, he will always say you are a good conversationalist,all though you have spoken hardly any thing. When you listen attentively that’s the highest compliment anyone can pay. I can give a good example. I had a grandfather, as like most other grandfathers he also likes to speak about good olden days. When I visit him he used to complain about eyesight, hearing and agility. Fortunately as I was genuinely interested about his well being I started to ask few questions about those ailments and got him talking about them. I got a detailed description of how and why those aliments are there and cure for those by grandfather himself. I listened attentively and after few hours of listening I found he was exhausted by speaking continuously. when he paused for some time I invited him to go to the doctor with me. But he said these are common for old age and he does not need any special medical treatment. Then he said that I’m a good person and I’m looking after him well, where as what I had done was only attentively listening to him.

By listening we can learn lot of things which we thought we knew earlier. I have seen so many instances when a person is complaining, if you listen to him intently, after the complainant completes his narration at least half of the complaint is automatically settled. His arrogance and pep up anger is subdued. Then he will be a reasonable person to discuss the matter. Listning is single most important skill for communicators.By listening you can learn a lot specially, the point of view of others and how they feel about anything.

While listing one can show that he is attentive by either a nod, or an uh-huh, or an I see. Some lean forward in the chair or shift their posture. This can be done according to the situation. Direct eye contact is also a way in showing attentiveness. Listening is one technique of showing we respect others. People like to be respected. Listening to someone’s opinion is a better way to getting them to our way of thinking. This may not work always. Most of the time it will work. Lot of big companies are having round table discussions about improvement and suggestions regularly with employees. While one top executive listening to them attentively. Most of the time getting notes of what had been discussed. This is called real attentive listening. Listening- we could categorise as two main basics.

1. Listening is the best way to learn
2. When you attentively listen to others they will respond to you.

Therefore before you speak at anytime at anyplace on any subject listen attentively.
Active listening involves concentration. Needs questioning and prodding. Listener have to respond thoughtfully on target and concisely. This should be proved practically to believe. Therefore to satisfy yourself try listening actively today and feel the difference.