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Essay about The Art Skill of Listening

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A skill, according the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, is a learned power of doing something competently: a developed aptitude or ability. The skill of listening is a skill that I believe everyone should have but most people lack. Many people do not realize that listening is not merely the act of hearing a sound but of paying close attention to what someone is saying and trying to understand the message that they are trying to relate to you. Most times people say they are listening when in all actuality they are merely hearing you but not even attempting to understand what is being spoken of. The advantages of being a good listener are vast. This skill can positively affect many parts of our everyday life and interaction with people. …show more content…

The skill of listening would prove very effective in the workplace because employers would realize what would motivate their employees and their employees would in turn be motivated and cause an increase in production. In foreign affairs listening would decrease the misunderstanding that so often can develop into animosities that can one day escalate to full blown wars. Just imagine the possibilities if listening became an attribute that people seek to achieve wholeheartedly. I am not trying to present a utopian world but I am suggesting that if more people placed more emphasis not just on being heard but on really listening as well, many things would change and many conflicts would be avoided. From the beginning of time humanity has had a problem listening. Even going as far back as biblical days, Eve was deceived because she did not listen carefully. The Serpent only changed one word but because she did not listen carefully she did not grasp the vast difference in the information that was conveyed to her from both sides. So, how does one become a good listener? First and foremost, it is important to understand that listening is not just sitting and hearing someone speak. It is also taking careful thought of what they are saying and trying to understand their point of view. It is also essential to let the other party know you are listening to them by responding and asking questions relevant to the topic on hand. Body

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