The document discusses the importance of listening skills. It provides several quotes emphasizing listening over speaking and questioning over statements. It then discusses what we listen to in our lives, such as parents, bosses, friends, media, and nature sounds. The document lists executive opinions on the importance of listening to employees and understanding various viewpoints. Finally, it outlines skills of effective listening and results, such as fewer mistakes, better management, and stronger relationships.

1. The Art of Listening “ We have two ears and one mouth so we can listen twice as much as we speak” … .Epictetus….55-135 (C.E.) “ A good listener is not only popular everywhere, after awhile he gets to know something!” … Wilson Mizner “ The important thing is not to stop questioning” … Albert Einstein “ There is no such thing as a worthless conversation, provided you know what to listen for. And questions are the breath of life for any conversation.” James Nathan Miller ( The Art of Intelligent Listening )

2. Listening The skill of receiving a message and interpreting its intended meaning by grasping the facts and feelings it conveys. There are about 800,000 words in the English language, some 800 of which are used on a daily basis and those 800 have 14,000 meanings! (Wm V. Ruch, Corporate Communications)

3. It is no wonder why we have such a difficult time listening!! Who do we listen to throughout our lives? What do we listen to? How well do we listen? Why do we listen?

4. We listen to: Parents, bosses, subordinates, friends, peers, teachers, relatives, counselors, coaches, advisors, doctors, lawyers, clergy, salespeople, financial advisors, tax accountants, tour guides and more. We also listen to: radio, movies, television, ipods, internet, music, speeches, news broadcast, seminars, lectures, conferences. We also hear: The “White Noise” of the world: Cars, planes, trains, subways, machinery of all types, construction, horns, sirens, bells, alarms, beepers, beeps and more!

5. What sounds of nature do we hear and listen to? Perhaps not enough? Can you quickly name 10 nature sounds that you love to listen to? It is important to train ourselves to be effective listeners both within and outside the workplace.

6. Executive opinions on the importance of listening: 1) “Listen more than you talk. The higher you are in the organization’s hierarchy, the less you really know what goes on below you. Therefore, you have to attract intelligent people in whom you have confidence, so that you’ll listen carefully to their reports and recommendations. You don’t always have to agree. I think these elements are key to successful leadership.” ..Howard P. Allen So. California Edison

7. 2) “Leadership will especially require the ability to listen to people and to really hear their concerns, ideas, ambitions, and to be able from that listening process, to determine what is truly essential. Listening in turn requires hearing what people say and synthesizing it with what the world is telling you, and with the vision of the organization.” …Marshall Loeb, Fortune Magazine

8. Listening Skills Prevent interruptions Pay attention & show interest Encourage others to express themselves Value different opinions Be accessible Suspend judgment & comments until other’s viewpoints are fully heard Don’t talk too much-balance conversations Ask questions as others are speaking

9. Results of effective listening: We’ll be better educated. We’ll make less mistakes: mistakes=lost time & high costs. We’ll be better managers and leaders. We’ll know our business better. Our employees and peers (and everyone we know) will appreciate us. We’ll truly understand our customers needs and wants. We’ll make more friends.