Listening is a skill. Do listen with understanding, nonjudgmentally, and noncritically. Now that we have entered ZOOM world, listening and learning becomes even more critical. As far as putting your fingers into your ears goes, of course, I'm being facetious! If you don't want to listen to what someone is saying, poking your fingers in your ears would be rude. Your head shot and what you're doing in business on screen is permanently recorded.
Being socially selective means there has to be a level of comfort around the people you normally interact with on a regular basis and most of us have grown accustomed to making facial expressions. In a large group setting in a natural setting most people don't see everyone at one time. Times have changed. People may not see the entire you, meaning from head to toe, your hair, clothes, shoes, jewelry etc. But the FACE, EYES, WHATEVER is exposed from the upper body can turn people off or tune others out to what the speaker is saying. Women, when you lean in, take a look in the mirror and do a body check before you are on screen to make sure you're appropriately dressed for the camera. A camera picks up everything! Again, you are being permanently recorded.
In real life, acknowledging the talker in a one-on-one or small group meeting it is common practice to nod your head. It's like a signal to the speaker that you are in agreement. But in ZOOM world, nodding your head can be very distracting to others watching the screen. The chat box demonstrates business etiquette and your comments are recorded.
In sum, focus on positive change. As listeners, pay attention. You don't have to believe but your face and upper body parts tells all and if you're on ZOOM, you're being recorded. Causing barriers between people in business on ZOOM can be detrimental to success, and how you are perceived in business and in life. Whether you agree or disagree, good listening has a positive effect on you without distorting the truth about what you really think and believe is true.
That's my opinion and I'm sticking with it,
Patricia Feager
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