Idea 41: Five key listening skills
‘Is there, do you think, an art of speaking as of other things, if it is to be done skilfully and with profit to the hearer?’
‘Yes.’
‘And are all profited by what they hear, or only some among them? So that it seems there is an art of listening as well of speaking … To make a statue needs skill; to view a statue aright needs skill also.’
Epictetus, Greek Stoic philosopher
| Be willing to listen | Wanting to listen comes first. In most contexts listening also requires an openness of mind, a willingness in principle to think or act differently. |
| Hear the message | Receiving clearly what is actually being said – not a penny more, not a penny less – is the next vital ingredient. There may be problems in physically hearing; if so, they have to be overcome. The issue at this stage is not whether or not you agree but whether you hear clearly what is being said. |
| Interpret the meaning | The meaning in question is the speaker’s meaning. It may be clear and intelligible. The test is whether or not you can play back to the other person what it means in your own words in such a way that they accept it as accurate. |
| Evaluate carefully | You may want to suspend judgement so that you can use information or ideas for creative thinking purposes. But at some stage or other you will need to assess the worth or value of the content of what you have listened to. Is it true? Is it useful? |
| Respond appropriately | Communication is two way. A response is called for. It may be no more than applause – or even silence. But it is still a response, which will in turn be interpreted by the speaker. Make sure that you respond appropriately. |
Remind yourself
To make a statue needs skill; to view a statue properly needs skill also.