Effective communication can make you an effective leader and success can come much easier. Communication is significant to build resilience and it also maintains balance in different aspect of your life. Communication is the base of almost everything in life. In order to make someone else understand you, it is very important to be a confident and efficient communicator. There will be fewer chances of misunderstanding if there is a clear and crisp communication. However, in order to become an effective communicator, you need to be a good listener. Many situations come in the daily life which needs communication; otherwise, they can become extremely complicated. If you are not a good listener, you won’t be able to understand the point of view of another person. There are very few situations when you can consider just talking from your end. However, most situations require effective listening skills. We really need to understand the importance of listening at a broader level. Most of the people generally avoid the skill of listening. Though, communication is never complete process without being a good listener and alone being a good speaker. Here are some of the key benefits of being a good listener: 2. Builds relationship: Communication is the basis of any relationship. Active and effective listening helps with communicating and as a result, leads to better relationships and friendships. 3. Shows maturity and respect: It shows maturity and respect to the speaker or the other parties involved in the conversation. Constantly interrupting without listening never leads to a meaningful and enlightening conversation. 4. Personal development: Being a good listener leads to a more complete day-to-day life. A good listener always comes across as a wise person, who can understand and empathize with others. The good listening skills leads to more meaningful relations and less frustrating situations in our daily life. 5. Resolves issues: Good listening skills helps with resolving issues. Many of the problems can be solved by understanding the viewpoints of everybody involved. 6. Career enhancement: Being a good listener at work-place is very important. It helps establish positive working relationships with bosses, clients, as well as colleagues at work. Good listening can helps us establish a good image and help separate us from average contributors. To know more about Why is it Important to be a Good Listener?
1. Key to communication: Listening is important part of any conversation. It helps to better understand the view point of the other party or the speaker. More than half of the conversation or communication is paying attention to and understanding the other side.
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How often are you REALLY listening? We engage and communicate with our partners, children, friends, family members and co-workers throughout the day. I don’t know anyone that says communication isn’t important. Yet, many people lack effective communication skills. Especially active listening skills. Here are the Top 5 reasons why listening is important.
As a Marriage and Family Therapist, I am sure it isn’t a surprise how important I find listening. In my practice, I would do it all day long. As a mom, it is never ending! Although, it usually includes 3 boys saying “MOOOOM…MOOOOM!” [you can repeat that by about 100 times a day! haha!]
However, even I have to remind myself the important reasons for listening. We have so many things we are juggling on a daily basis it is easy to be distracted. Why is listening so important? How can effective active listening skills improve all of the relationships in your life?
I have seen when someone learns how to communicate effectively they can save relationships! Not only personal relationships but also professional relationships. I discuss 6 key listening skills in an article, why listening to your children is important. Although, it is about listening to children the 6 key skills apply to anyone.
Top 5 Benefits of Active Listening
- Builds trust and respect. Using active listening skills shows the other person you care and are interested in what they are saying. People are more likely to come to you when they feel trusted. This might be a partner whom you had a conflict with, a child or teen wanting to confide in you or a colleague hoping to solve some issues at work.
- Non verbal communication skills such as eye contact, leaning in or nodding your head, allows the other person to know you are engaged and truly listening. You appear interested. This allows the person to be more honest and forthcoming. People are more likely to talk openly if they are feeling heard.
- When practicing active listening skills you have a better chance of truly understanding the person and their situation or need. You have empathy for the other person. In the simplest terms, empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of the other person. The door is open to solving a problem if needed or talking through the issue more freely. By listening you are allowing yourself to gain insight from what they have to say.
- Using active listening skills reduces the chance of miscommunication [especially if the other person is also using the same type of communication skills]. However, even if it is one sided you will notice less conflict.
- Active listening skills can help eliminate conflict, anger and resentment. When we don’t communicate with people, we tend to assume what someone is thinking and feeling. Unfortunately, this can lead to miscommunication and possibly create anger, resentment and other negative emotions. If you choose to use active listening skills you will learn, rather than assume, what others are thinking and feeling.
We All Want To Feel Heard and Understood
Active listening is part of effective communications skills. Some could argue it is the most important based on our basic human need to feel understood. This article, Feeling Understood-Even More Important Than Feeling Loved, by Leon F. Seltzer, Ph.D. in Psychology Today explains why feeling understood is critical to our well being.
Active listening is in fact a skill. It comes more natural to some, however it is something that needs to be practiced. Overall, If you apply these skills you will see your relationships improve.