Listening is recognized as a key part of effective communications, yet we seem to slowly but surely forget that essential skill. We are surrounded by multiple sounds on a daily basis, yet we hardly pay attention. We sit in meetings, half-listening to what other people say, because we’re busy checking emails on our laptops. We talk to people on the phone whilst typing out notes for a report. We set up important face-to-face meetings, yet keep our ears tuned to the ring of our cell phone, just in case. We brand ourselves as multi-taskers and think we are more productive.  In the end we end up getting everything half-done.

So stop and listen*. Re-tune. Listen again.

* If you have forgotten how to listen, here is a 5-minutes reminder from Julian Treasure: view below or click here