According to the website Skills You Need, listening is the ability to accurately receive messages in the communication process. If we accept that listening involves receiving, then we can accept that listening involves the brain.
When we are listening to someone speak, their wordsŃas well as gestures, body odour, accent, etc.Ńgo in through our senses, get mixed up with things like our own stomach rumbling, and end up in our grey matter to get sorted out.
If at the same time you’re waiting for them to shut up so you can say what you want to say, you’re effectively fogging up that interpretive process. In terms of a job interview or learning a subject in class, your lack of focus can significantly impact you in negative ways.
Norman Vincent Peale said, “Every human being has an inner sense of worthÉ Wound that and you’ve lost that person forever.” Active listening, where you give feedback, or ask questions, to make sure you understood, is the clearest path to communication.
And being a better listener, will, ironically, make you a better speaker.