Listening is a great tool to learn and use effectively. Many times, I have walked away from a conversation wondering what the point of it was. Sometimes it was because I just did not care or have any interest in the conversation. But other times it was because the message and/or body language was not clear to me. I have learned that listening is a key tool in building effective relationships.
When communicating, the listener has to pay attention and ask questions. The sender does not always make it clear what they are saying or intending to mean. To fully understand, try paraphrasing the message back because every person is different and have different meanings for certain things.
However, it is hard to listen when there is not much interest in the topic of conversation. I personally try to take advantage of these times to practice my listening skills. I try to determine the meaning of the message and if gestures are fitting for the context of the conversation. It is definitely something to think about the next time you are stuck in a boring conversation.
Remember to keep you ear open. You never know what you may be able to learn!
