Listening Skills

Shoaib Muhammad Farooq

We were given two ears but one mouth. This

is because
Listening is twice as hard as Talking.

Stephen Covey
Seek first to
understand,
then be
understood.

Communication Skills
Actual use of communication skills is
broken down as follows:
Writing
Reading
Speaking
Listening

9%
16%
30%
45%

Communication Skills
Time spent on training of
communication skills is broken down
as follows:
Writing
Reading
Speaking
Listening

52%
30%
10%
8%

Communication Skills
Communication Roadblocks
Interrupting.
Distorting.
Use of sarcasm, name calling, insinuations.
Ultimatums.
Psychoanalyzing (interpreting).
Judgments, criticism.
Going off on tangents (e.g., past history).
Indirect confrontation (i.e., hit and runs.)

Importance of Listening

Improves relationships
Improves our knowledge
Improves our understanding
Prevents problems escalating
Saves time and energy
Can save money
Leads to better results

Listening
The process of receiving,
constructing meaning from, and
responding to verbal and/or
nonverbal messages while
conversing.
It is different from Hearing.

Hearing vs. Listening

Hearing
Physical process of receiving sound.
It is passive in nature.
It is done with sensory organ.

Listening
Physical & mental process.
It is active in nature (conscious activity).
It is done with mind.
It is the most neglected art.
It can be learned.

Activity
Treasure Hunt

Ten Commandments of
Listening
1. Stop Talking !!!

Ten Commandments of
Listening
2. Eye Contact

Ten Commandments of
Listening
3. Listen Actively
Leaning forward,
Nodding,
Empathetic responses,
Paraphrasing etc.

Ten Commandments of
Listening
4. Remove Distractions
Dont
doodle, tap or play with your pencil.
shuffle papers.
scratch your head etc.

Ten Commandments of
Listening
5. Concentration & Focus
Activity (Simultaneous Conversation)

Ten Commandments of
Listening
6. Be patient.
Activity (Count to 5)

Ten Commandments of
Listening
6. Avoid controlling the speaker and be
logical.
Activity (Circle Story)

Ten Commandments of
Listening
7. Ask Questions

Ten Commandments of
Listening
8. Avoid Arguments and Criticism

Ten Commandments of
Listening
9. Take real or virtual notes.

Ten Commandments of
Listening
10. Silence! Stop Talking !!!

Thank You !