Listening is a significant part of communication process. Communication cannot take place until and unless a message is heard and retained thoroughly and positively by the receivers.
Allen Louise an international business consultant defines listening as “the ability to understand and respond effectively to oral communication”. Lee Hopkins, an Australian expert on leadership, defines listening as "a process that consists of five elements: hearing, attending, understanding, responding, and remembering." Listening is more than just hearing words; it requires the understanding of the message received.Listening differs from hearing in the sense that:-Hearing implies just perceiving the sounds while listening means listening with understanding whatever you are listening.
Both the body as well as mind is involved in the listening process.-Listening is an active process while hearing is a passive activity.-Hearing is an effortless activity while listening is an act requiring conscious efforts, concentration and interest. Listening involves both physical and psychological efforts.
Listening is challenging because people don’t work as hard at it as they should. Because listening seems to occur naturally, we feel that it isn’t necessary to put effort into it. However, it is a learned skill; hard work and effort are required if listening is to be effective. Listening is also challenging because people have different reasons for listening. They listen to gain information, and to show respect.
The situation in which listening take place also vary. Listening can occur (a) in a one-on-one telephone or face-to-face conversation; (b) in a small group, such as a few employees receiving instructions from their supervisor; and (c) in a large group, such as an audience listening to a webcast of a business meeting.In my personal life listening helps build relationship, solve problems, ensure understanding, resolve conflicts, and improve accuracy. In my career it occurs in the workplace as well as in the classroom.
Consider the situation in which the average employee spends about three-quarters of each working day in communication. Nearly half of that time is spent listening. Organizations have discovered that one bad listener can undo the work of many good listeners, and good listening skills can improve productivity and therefore increase both employee and client satisfaction.In the business communication course, we gained a broad range of knowledge and skills to become effective communicators. Good communication skills help individuals enhance self-esteem and become effective employees, therefore advancing in their careers.
We learned that the goals of business communication are: to achieve a shared meaning, getting an appropriate response, building a favorable relationship, and building goodwill for your organization.Apply the ‘you-viewpoint’ and analyze the needs, interests, and values of the message receiver. We have to be open to and accepting of other cultures. Recognize that values, traditions, beliefs, and behavior differ among cultures and that there is not one right way to do things but many different ways can be acceptable. Adopt an open, respectful attitude towards all cultural differences.
As a matter of fact, one of the best ways to acquire information, hear feedback from others, show respect, and develop better attitude is through effective listening. Effective listening helps build relationships, solve problems, ensure understanding, resolve conflicts, and improve accuracy. In addition business communication is a process of establishing a common understanding between or, among people, within a business environment.
