Liam Martinez - Listening Pays Book Review Paper - 11/27/2019

I read the book in a softback format. I read it in this format because I believe it is the best

way to read school materials, since it separates the reader from distracting technology. For

example, reading an eBook on your phone could result in you being tempted to check social

media.

I believe the author’s purpose in writing this book was to teach people ways they could

improve their listening. This belief comes from the fact that becoming a better listener is the

goal of the book’s main character and because most events in the book come back to listening

and becoming a better listener. I believe the book was written as a fictional narrative because

more people are likely to read a fictional story about a businessman who has to save his job

rather than a self-help book about how to become a better listener. With that being said, I

believe that the author intended for this book to be read by both the average person and people

explicitly looking for advice on how to become a better listener. People looking for advice will

get it from Stu’s lessons with Alfred and the average reader will want to read it for the narrative

about a businessman who has to fight to keep his job but will end up learning a few things about

how to be a better listener.

What I liked most about the book was the fact that the book actually provided visual aids

regarding the lessons Alfred was teaching. I liked this because, this way, it would allow the

more visual learners to better understand the points Alfred was trying to get across. What I liked

least about the book was the fact that we didn’t really get to see Stu put Alfred’s teachings into

action. We are told that Stu used what he learned from Alfred to improve his relationships with
his wife and his coworkers, but we don’t really get to see this. This exclusion breaks the

storytelling rule of “show, don’t tell”. Not only would seeing this provide some dramatic and

emotionally satisfying scenes, but it would also allow the reader to see examples of how to

practice what Alfred’s preaching.

The character I most identified with is Stu. This is because I could recognize some of my

problems I have with listening. For example, I sometimes find myself jumping the gun and

coming to conclusions before the conversation is done. I also will sometimes only think my way

is right. For example, I was working on a project for my computer science class and I ignored

my classmates telling me I was doing something wrong, thinking I was doing everything right. I

was proven wrong when the project wouldn’t do what it was supposed to do. This book also

reminded me of when I was a teenager and I would listen to music on my iPod while my Mom

talked to me in the car on the way to school. She would talk to me and I wouldn’t be able to hear

everything she said. I was reminded of this because, similar to Stu, I was told to improve my

listening or else. She told me that I needed to hear everything she said, or she would take my

iPod away. Unfortunately, I didn’t really get any new ideas about myself from the book. This is

likely because, while I can identify that characters are similar to myself, I have a hard time

placing myself in the situation of another person or character and learning about myself from

this.

I believe the most notable quote from the book is from near the end of the book, when

Carl told Stu, “At the three month mark, I knew you had made some progress, but you still had

some room for improvement.” This is because I believe this is a statement that can apply to

anybody trying to become a better listener, no matter how long they’ve been trying. Nobody is

perfect and they can always improve, no matter what their skill level is. Another notable quote is
when Stu says, “Simply put, get the main point and the supporting points will follow.” This is

notable because I believe it is advice that every student should hear to take the best possible

notes. Speaking of the ending, if I were to continue the story, I would show Brad working with

his subordinates, showing how the working environment improves as Brad gets listening lessons.

This is because not only would this provide more closure to Brad’s story, but it would also show

how Stu has really improved as a listener, since he can now teach others what he learned.

Three action steps that I am now taking in my life as a result of reading this book are

building a solid foundation, taking one hundred percent responsibility, and developing healthy

habits. Whenever I meet someone new, I put my best foot forward and use my best listening

skills. After this first encounter, I continue to use these skills whenever I interact with them

again. Whenever I am interacting with someone and a communication breakdown takes place, I

always think about what I did wrong. Whenever I learn or think of a way to improve my

listening, I am sure to use this skill whenever I can.

“On my honor, I have not given, nor received, nor witnessed any unauthorized assistance on this

work.” – Liam Martinez