1. THE ART OF LISTENING

2. Listening is what you hear, understand, and remember.

3. Benefits of Good Listening:
You can improve your speaking ability.
Listening can save time.
A good listener is an asset to a business.

4. Two Different Kinds of Listening:
Serious - used in business, political, and professional situation.
Critical listening - requires interpretations and judgements.
Discriminate listening – requires understanding and remembering.

5. Social - used in everyday conversation and entertainment.
Appreciative – giving attention to something you enjoy.
Conversational – discussions with acquaintances and business associates.

6. Misconceptions about Listening:
A poor listener lacks intelligence.
The ability to listen is closely associated with the ability to hear.
Listening can’t be improved.
Learning to read well will automatically teach a person to listen well.

7. Common Obstacles to Effective Listening:
Leaping to the conclusion that a subject is dull or you know everything about it.
Tending to dismiss what the speaker says.
Allowing distractions.
Reacting emotionally to what speaker says.
Listening only to the facts.

8. Techniques for Overcoming Obstacles:
Concentrate.
Use proper listening posture.
Eliminate distractions.
Listen actively.
Control your reactions.

9. “Concentration is the key to effective listening”.