Listening

I am sure we can all recall many instance when people we talk to, and we too, seem to go through the motions of listening but, in reality, are either thinking of other things or, more particularly, thinking of what they are going to say next. Listening, therefore, seems to be sadly neglected, and is sometimes written off as a merely passive skill, bout which we can do very little. But it is crucial to good communication, for it is really the receiver - the listener - who communicates rather that the speaker. Unless somebody listens to the message and understands it, there is no communication, only noise. Effective listening produces many salutary results. Example, encouragement to others, possession of all the information, improved relationships, resolution of problems and better understanding of people. The good listener gains four things: information, understanding, listening in return and cooperation.