What Are Listening Skills & Why They Matter

Listening skills are the ability to pay attention, understand and respond to spoken words. They are an essential part of communication and can be used in both personal and professional settings. Listening skills are important because they help us make better decisions, build relationships, understand others better, and show respect for the speaker. By improving our listening skills we can become more effective communicators and better problem solvers.

So above is the the technical definition of listening.  But let's get real. Have you ever really thought about the word? How or what it means to be a good listener?

As parents we want our kids to stop what they are doing look them in the eye and tell them what is needed, so we know they are "listening" or they heard us.  Its really brought down to a level they can understand.  As Adults don't you sometimes want to go back to that as well?

Last week I called to get an appointment to have my car worked on, it needs its oil changed, tires roatated and a few other things done.  When i called I had a specific ask from the scheduling desk, I needed a Thursday as soon as they had and perferred it to be the first one of the day, but the time was flexible. When the lady answered she was nice, I told her my name my car type (they have it in the system under your phone number, so my guess is she was just confirming my information on the screen) and I then told her in the very first sentence my request.  "What is the next Thursday you have abailable, I need a thursday for my schedule"...She repeated my car type and what all i needed done, then she asked..."you want the first avaiable? We have an opening next monday..." my reply "Oh thank you, I can't do monday, I need a thursday, that is my day off"...she then replies are you wanting first thing in the morning or is afternoon okay..."well the time is flexible, but I need it to be on a Thursday, what do you have open on next Thursday april 13th?"...she replies very kindly...oh you'd like next Thursday we have the 820am open first in the morning, will that work? Yes, (then I did laugh a tiny bit) that is Perfect, so you have my down next week, Thursday April 13th at 820am? "I sure do we will see you then"...

She was never rude, never hateful, nor was I but I will say I was starting to be like is she not LISTENING to what I am saying, I had to ask for a thursday 3 times, I started my conversation out with the most important need I had, that was the day of service. I'm sure she was busy, I'm sure she was doing more than one thing at her job, I get it, we are all juggling multiple things at once, but not only did I not feel like she was listening to me it made me feel not important at the moment and that causes loss in trust.  Was it a bid deal i had to repeat what I needed 3 times, no, did it ruin my day, no, did it cause me to get angry, no but was she listening? NO!....as simple as this moment in life was, it got me thinking....just be a good listener, you may not change the world at that moment, but maybe you make someone's day. Maybe you give them a happy smile or laugh.  When it comes to our kids, teaching them to be a good or the best at listening makes them a better adult. 

Have a great tuesday everyone.  Here's to great listening and good laughs. 

-Amanda