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What is the Importance of Listening

26 Jul 2021
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Listening is often the only thing needed to help someone and is probably the most critical skill we can have. Most of the time, when we’re conversing with someone, we’re actively constructing what we’re going to say next in our heads after the other person has finished speaking. This distracts us, and we tend to miss what the other person is saying. Listening is more than simply hearing what someone is saying; it also entails responding to what they are saying. It is termed as active listening.

I often associate active listening with the concept of ‘observing.’ You may have heard the saying, “We have two ears but only one mouth,” which is a simple reminder that listening is just as essential as talking. It is the cornerstone of communication from an academic standpoint. In these two months that I’ve been here, SOIL has helped me become an effective listener.

You probably spend many hours in a classroom doing a lot of concentrated listening as a student. Still, it can be challenging to adapt those skills to communicate in other aspects of your life. As a result, your listening skills may not be all that they could be. To achieve those skills, here are some things I learned during these two months in SOIL:
- Refrain from talking when the other person is speaking. It makes them feel heard and respected.
- Let them know you are listening through facial expressions or some verbal sounds. This shows your interest in the conversation and that you are listening intently.
- Avoid passing judgment on what the other person is saying. Don’t presume you understand what they’re saying or what they’re thinking.
- It might be helpful to repeat what the other person has just stated, but in your own words. This way, you can check to see if you’ve heard them correctly. It also shows your interest in the conversation.
- Try to put yourself in their shoes. Accept their feelings, thoughts, and opinions about the issue, regardless of whether you agree with them or share their viewpoint.
- Ask good questions. In your inquiry, avoid accusing or blaming others. Make an effort to find any hidden significance. Make sure you’re asking open-ended questions and that your tone of voice is genuine.
- Good listening invariably includes some feedback provided in a way that others would accept. A piece of sane advice can always help someone in need.
Being a good listener was once thought to be like being a “sponge” that successfully absorbs what the other person is saying; however, other studies suggest that good listeners are more like “trampolines.” They’re someone you can bounce ideas off of, and instead of absorbing your thoughts and energy, they enhance, invigorate, and clarify your thinking. They actively help you feel better rather than passively absorb you.

In conclusion, listening is also an essential leadership skill that isn’t included in the job description. This is one of the many important lessons I learned from my Leadership Sessions at SOIL. As mentioned by Mr. Anil Sachdev on multiple occasions, the fundamental practice to become a good listener is Mindfulness. It makes you aware of your surroundings, and you learn how to be fully present and engaged at the moment.

“When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you may learn something new” – Dalai Lama

By Pallavi Panjabi
PGPM – HR, Class of 2022