Listening is one of the important element in communication. In a day, we meet different sort of people who has something to say. We even meet people who speak non-stop. How much importance we give importance to listening? According to Bonhoeffer, “Many are looking for a ear to hear”. There are different types of listening:
a. Casual or Marginal Listening- This is a type of listening which doesn’t need much attention. Ex., we may be reading the newspaper but we listen what others are saying. But here, it is just casual and does not require full attention.
b. Superficial Listening- This is a type where people tend to hear but they are in their own world. They act as if they are listening. Fake Listening is other name of superficial listening.
c. Filtered Listening- This is a type of listening where we hear only what is necessary. we filter certain things which we want and leave the rest.
d. Active Listening- This is the right type of listening. In Active listening, we hear the verbal and non-verbal communication. In this type of listening, we respond accurately because we have fully given our attention to the person not only to their verbal messages but also their non-verbal communication.
There are a lot of people to speak but a few to listen!
When was the last time have you listened to someone with full attention?
Try Active Listening so that you may respond accurately!!
Chordalayam 