The 7 Levels of Listening

WHAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GOOD AND BAD COMMUNICATION?

Very often at the end of a conversation we have the frustrating feeling that, despite the long discussion, there was no real communication. What could be the reason behind it?

For sure the key of every communication is how we listen to each other. Here, we are going to find out which are the different typologies of listening that are effecting our conversations.

1. Not listening: Not paying attention to or ignoring the other person’s communications.
2. Pretend listening: Acting like or giving the impression that you are paying attention to another person’s communications, but in actuality not really paying attention to that individual.
3. Partially listening: Only focusing on part of the other person’s communication or only giving it your divided attention.
4. Focused listening: Giving the other person your undivided attention to his or her communication.
5. Interpretative listening: Going beyond just paying attention but really trying to understand what the other person is communicating.
6. Interactive listening: Being involved in the communication by asking claritying questions or acknowledging understanding of the communication.
7. Engaged listening: Being fully engaged in communications involves listening to the other person’s views, feelings, interpretations, values, etc., concerning the communication and sharing yours as well with the other person. In engaged listening, both parties are given the opportunity to fully express their views, feelings and ideas.

And what about you? Are you sure that you are always listening? Take care of which type of listening are you using during your next conversations!