10 Reasons Why Listening Is Important
Communicating well consists of two parts: expressing yourself and listening to others. Many people forget the second part. Lots of people are good at talking, but when it’s time to hear the thoughts and feelings of someone else, they fall short. Listening can be very challenging. It comes naturally to very few people, so to improve, you must be more intentional. Why is listening worth the extra effort? Here are ten reasons why it’s important:
#1 Listening builds trust
When you make the effort to listen to someone, they recognize your interest. They can tell that you’re invested in what they’re saying. This makes them more comfortable sharing with you and being open. If you were only half-listening, not making eye contact, or glancing at your phone, the other person won’t want to waste their breath. They won’t trust you to respect their thoughts and feelings.
#2 Listening reduces misunderstandings
Misunderstandings are one of the most common effects of poor communication. When people aren’t listening to each other, it’s very easy to mishear something or misinterpret someone’s meaning. Many times, misunderstandings aren’t a big deal, but some can have major consequences. As an example, if someone isn’t listening when their friend explains they have a certain food allergy, serving them a dish with a dangerous ingredient could be life-threatening.
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