Is listening important?

The answer to the question above is invariably yes. Listening is, in my opinion, the most important aspect of the communication cycle. I say that because my own personal experience has shown that to me. I have discovered that in situations where I am required to speak to someone that my biggest concern has always been, what should I say. Often times I find myself thinking of that same question while someone is speaking to me, instead of listening I preoccupy my mind with what I am going to say next. Experience has taught me that I have been going about it in the wrong way. I have learned that while I am in any situation where I am communicating verbally with anyone that by focusing on what the other person is saying, and why they are saying it, that I am capable of responding to their needs. I am able to process what it is that the person is saying and why they are saying it, and I am able to respond with questions or with action.

By putting more effort into the listening aspect of the communication cycle, we get a better understanding of the motives of the person speaking to us, which helps us understand better exactly what is going on. We are able to perform tasks and requests with more accuracy, respond to questions with intelligent well understood responses, and express ourselves more clearly to the understanding of the listener. Often times the listening is overlooked so there is misunderstanding for both parties and a lot of confusion.