There’s an important difference between hearing and listening. Hearing is the basic ability to perceive sound. Listening is the ability to understand who is talking and the importance of what is being said. Listening, in other words, adds context and requires effort on behalf of the recipient.
Listening carefully can lead to a number of benefits in the workplace including improved morale, better understanding between staff members and a more supportive office environment. And because the best listeners take time to consider other people’s perspectives and needs, they are able to provide better feedback as a result. Here’s how to become an active listener.