What I find most interesting about the skill of listening is that it is both simple and complex. On the surface, listening seems like a straightforward task. We simply pay attention to what someone is saying and try to understand their meaning. However, in reality, listening is a complex skill that requires us to engage a variety of cognitive and emotional processes.

For example, when we listen, we must be able to:

• Pay attention: This requires us to focus on the speaker and to block out distractions.
• Decode: We must be able to understand the speaker’s words and the meaning of their message.
• Interpret: We must be able to understand the speaker’s intent and the implications of their message.
• Respond: We must be able to respond to the speaker in a way that shows that we have understood their message.

Listening is also a social skill. When we listen, we are building relationships and connecting with others. We are also learning about the world around us and gaining new perspectives.

I agree with Julian Treasure’s warning about the dangers of losing the ability to listen. In today’s fast-paced world, it is easy to get distracted and to focus on our own thoughts and feelings rather than on what others are saying. However, good listening skills are essential for success in both our personal and professional lives.

When we listen effectively, we are able to:

• Build better relationships: When we listen to others, we show them that we value them and that we are interested in what they have to say. This helps to build trust and rapport.
• Improve communication: Listening helps us to understand what others are saying and to communicate our own thoughts and feelings more effectively. This can lead to fewer misunderstandings and conflicts.
• Make better decisions: When we listen to different perspectives, we are able to make more informed decisions. This is important in all areas of our lives, from our personal relationships to our careers.
• Learn and grow: Listening helps us to learn new things and to expand our knowledge. This is essential for personal and professional development.

Listening strategies to try

Julian Treasure presents a number of listening strategies in his TED Talk. Here are a few that I would like to try:

• Be present: When I am listening to someone, I will try to be fully present and to focus on what they are saying. I will put away my phone and other distractions, and I will make eye contact with the speaker.
• Listen with intent: I will try to listen with the intent to understand. I will focus on the speaker’s main points and I will try to put myself in their shoes.
• Ask clarifying questions: If I do not understand something, I will ask clarifying questions. This will help me to better understand the speaker’s message and to show them that I am interested in what they have to say.
• Listen reflectively: I will try to listen reflectively, which means that I will summarize what the speaker has said and ask them for feedback. This will help me to ensure that I have understood their message correctly and to give them the opportunity to clarify anything that I may have misunderstood.

Personal listening goals

Based on the listening assessment, I have identified the following personal listening goals:

• Be more mindful of my listening habits: I will pay more attention to how I listen in different situations. I will also try to identify any areas where I can improve my listening skills.
• Be more present when listening to others: I will put away my phone and other distractions, and I will make eye contact with the speaker. I will also try to focus on what the speaker is saying and to avoid thinking about my own response.
• Ask more clarifying questions: If I do not understand something, I will ask clarifying questions. This will help me to better understand the speaker’s message and to show them that I am interested in what they have to say.
• Listen more reflectively: I will try to listen reflectively, which means that I will summarize what the speaker has said and ask them for feedback. This will help me to ensure that I have understood their message correctly and to give them the opportunity to clarify anything that I may have misunderstood.