The Greek philosopher, Epictetus said, "Nature gave us one tongue and two ears so we could hear twice as much as we speak."
Have you ever heard of the idea that in the classroom, once you raise your hand to be called on you stop listening. You’re concentrating so much on your question or class contribution or general preoccupation that you’re ability to take in the continuing conversation is impaired.
How much listening actually happens anymore? Between the commentators on television, radio personalities, and bloggers (not me of course, cough cough) taking issue with everything to the daily politics of government to Mariah Carey’s engagement ring, all in the same breath I think it might be difficult to get a word in about providing suggests for solutions to actual issues. Would the first part of this whole equation not be to listen?
There are hundreds and thousands of books, theories, web pages and more floating around concerning how to be an effective listener. What professional possibilities are out there for you as a salesperson, boss, or blogger if you listened more than you spoke?
You can search the web if you want to see how listening benefits you professional or personally – so I won’t list suggestions. My only suggestion is to try to listen more in your next sales communication or lunch meeting…see what changes.






