Today we will talk about the art of listening. Knowing how to listen, even to silence, is one of the best philosophies of life that we can cultivate. Do not stop reading this post that can change your life, and the way you relate to people!
The art of listening: Why is listening an art?
The fundamental process to achieve good communication is knowing how to listen, and communication is the basis on which all interpersonal relationships of the human being are founded.
In the words of the German writer and philosopher, Johan Wolfgang Von Goethe, "Speaking is a necessity, listening is an art." This phrase of only eight words contains a whole world of wisdom.
Listening is an art that can and should be cultivated. Listening and hearing are two different concepts. Hearing involves the act of perceiving sounds by the ear, while listening involves a voluntary and mental action of understanding the sound and its meaning.
If we really listen to our interlocutor, we are giving him our consideration and our respect, lending value to the message he is trying to convey.
Most human beings do not know how to listen, and what is even worse, we are not aware that we do not know how to listen. The concept of active listening has to do with our clear intention to connect with our interlocutor, at a level that allows us to try to understand their inner world and their motivations.
This is the principle of assertive communication. It does not lie only in knowing how to assertively express our ideas and thoughts, but in listening empathetically to the ideas, thoughts and feelings of the other person.
If what we have heard has not given us an insight into the thoughts and feelings of the person with whom we are speaking, then we were not listening.
Next, we leave you a video that will give you a broader vision of what it means the art of listening others, and some strategies to know how to listen.
Tips for developing the art of listening
Knowing how to listen is an exercise in solidarity, and it is an activity that demands dedication, transparency and the desire to understand the other. When the perfect balance between knowing how to speak and knowing how to listen is achieved, the miracle of communication occurs.
Knowing how to listen requires practice and concentration, respect, tolerance, empathy, dedication and perseverance.
There are some very basic tips that allow us to open our minds, and our souls, in order to learn the art of listening. Next, we summarize them all:
First: We must keep silent
Listening is an act of silence. If we can't "silence our thoughts" and silence our internal dialogue in order to understand what they want to convey to us, we will never be able to learn. the art of listening.
Avoiding interrupting, giving opinions or judging, even internally, what they are telling us, is the first step in learning to listen with intent and attention.
Second: Show interest
Maintaining eye contact with our interlocutor at all times is a simple way to force our full attention to the conversation and, in addition, it is a sign of respect and interest in the other person's words.
It is acceptable to make gestures that indicate to the interlocutor that we are attending to him. The gestures of affirmation imply attention and invite to continue presenting the ideas.
Third: Present the conclusions
When the interlocutor finishes transmitting his ideas and thoughts to us, it is important to present him with a summary of what we have understood from his intervention.
This summary or conclusion will lay the foundations for the flow of communication, and gives us the golden opportunity to clarify any misunderstanding that may have arisen from the conversation.
Fourth: Focus on the communication process
Put aside the cell phone, other people, and even your inner thoughts. We must try to pay our full attention, 100%, to the communication dynamics that we are maintaining.
Focus on your intention to understand the message that is being exposed to you. Be receptive to the points of view of others, and go through the listening process with an open mind and heart to new ideas.
We invite you to read an interesting article that will explain in detail, how to have a healthy mind, Don't stop reading it!
