Did You Think I Was Listening?

I hate admitting that I've noticed I check email on my phone while talking with someone. Rude. It's just rude. Thanks for the reminder to pay attention -- to give someone my full attention.

Video conferences! Haha that is definitely why they aren't catching on. It can be nice while far away, but for business, it doesn't work when you multitask a lot!

Hi Glenn,
Congrats on the feature.
Thanks for the reminder to give clients my undivided attention.
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

I have a friend who always points out the communication is a two way street. If the listener is truly listening there is no guarantee that the communication will be fruitful. The transmitter has to be on, too. In other words, a speaker must make sure that the communication is proper from the senders prospective in order for the recipient to be expected to receive the message.

So true! Anyone can 'hear' but were you really listening???

PAY ATTENTION!!

Glenn, I think you're referring to what some would call "Active Listening." Really being tuned in, listening with your whole body and mind; not just your ears. Consciously paying attention and trying to really hear and feel what the other person is saying with their words and body language. The fact that you're even having the thoughts expressed in your blog leads me to believe you know how to Actively Listen.

Hi Glenn,

You have a way with words!

I especially liked this little snippet:

abusing us with bad boring, irrelevant babble

That was good!!

Phil

Great words of wisdom and I believe we are all guilty of the multi-tasking you outline...even if only sometimes. I hadn't really thought about why video phones haven't gone mainstream yet, but your point is really good...then the people on the other end would know we aren't really listening. Engaging in the conversation has two meanings: for the listener it means truly listening and for the talker it means communicating engaging content. Good post!

My pet peeve is when you are dining with another person and they take calls and or answer text messages. Their attention is not at enjoying the experience with you. Oh, another one that makes me cringe is when you are in a show and the person next to you is answering text messages. The list goes on.

Glenn - that is so true. I often look at my 4 year old and know that he hears what I said but he isn't listening because he tuned me out. we do need to learn to pay 100% attention when we communicate with each other. There are too many distraction all over the place.

Speaking doesn't automatically make one "being worth being listened to...." a lot of truth here. Are you listening? Excellent post!

Many times I do not believe my clients are listening to me because when something comes up that I mentioned to them earlier they have no recollection of my saying it.

"We're thinking of what to say to clients instead of hearing their concerns." Most powerful line in your article. Many times Real Estate agents forget to listen to the concerns of their clients. They are too busy talking instead of listening and gathering information that the client will need.

Great post, Glenn. When you figure out someone is not listening it's time to end the "conversation". Many times I just stop talking to find out how the person will react. It can be quite revealing to both parties.

Very true.  There are some people (my sister) that I actually say to her "ok, do you have time to listen?" or "are you listening"? Because I don't want to have to repeat myselF!

Please, no video phone... I'm in my PJ"s!  

I am an auditory person so I excel at listening. However, even I let my thoughts wander occasionally.

Who knew that listening could be so hard? This is a great reminder, Glenn, to occasionally focus. The brain wanders because it needs downtime to process. However, being unable to turn that off can be a major problem. I know that I listen better when I have just a little distraction like doodling. Sounds counteractive, but it really works for me.