Listening

Upon her return from her play school, Pedro’s daughter had wonderful things to tell. One day, he was reading a book when she arrived home and began to chatter away. Though reading, Pedro was listening as well.

 But the child stopped speaking and started to make grumpy noises. Pedro looked up from his book to ask her, ‘what upset you?’ She promptly replied, ‘you are not listening to me!’

 Pedro immediately denied her charge and began to repeat what he had heard. But she was unrelenting. She asserted, in the way only a young child can, ‘You were not looking at me! How can you listen if you are not looking at me?’

 Listening is often confused with hearing. It requires us to move beyond hearing and proactively participate in the interpersonal skill! The speaker must believe that the other is listening. Paying obvious attention through right body language responses is crucial. It requires responsive feedback through apt questions, nodding, etc.

 When we look at the listener, we receive communication beyond hearing. We notice expressed emotions and understand beyond the sound of words. More importantly, the one speaking is convinced that we are indeed listening and this encouragement ensures continuity in the communication.

 Look, respond, participate… to aid listening

Let’s wilfully move beyond lifeless hearing!

       

- Pravin K. Sabnis