LIFE SKILLS
Shut up and
Listen!
In the wise words of Mark Twain, “If we were supposed to talk
more than we listen, we would have two tongues and one ear.”
I
t’s a simple exercise. All you have to do is
play your part. I mean, if we’re having a
conversation and I’m the one talking – it
only makes sense if you listen. Don’t just
hear me out. Listen to what I’m saying. Pay
attention to how I’m conveying it, so you can
have a holistic understanding of the message.
It’s an art they say. And they’re absolutely right.
It is said in the unwritten laws of Ubuntu, “I
am because we are. Because we are, therefore
I am”. This substantiates the fact that we’re
interdependent, while bringing to the surface
our need to collaborate. And, of course,
implying how our prosperity as a collective
lies in the amount of respect, patience and
understanding we have for each other.
As we all know (or at least should know by
now) humans are social beings. And with
that in mind, deciphering the significant role
communication plays in our fundamental
existence should be fairly remote from grasping
the theories of quantum physics. People need
other people, not only as a shoulder to lean on
or a stepping-stone towards success. We need
each other to survive.
Essentially, improved listening skills don’t only
enhance communication, they strengthen
relationships and can ultimately improve
one’s life. While, on the contrary, failing to
listen properly can lead to misunderstanding
and eventually conflict. So how do we make
sure you know exactly what to do when you
flip this page and move on with life? - We
have to expose you to the different aspects of
communication.
IMBO/ ISSUE 31/ '14
70