mmarize the main points of what the speaker was saying so that the focus is on the speaker and not you. It is always important to try and listen objectively no matter what the speaker is trying to say. By doing this, you will become a better listener and more able to communicate with others concerning subjects that might normally make you angry to the point that you would no longer be able to carry on a working conversation with that individual. This will make you especially valuable in the management industry where, as a rule, people will come to you with problems that need to be resolved. It is important to listen carefully and to withhold personal judgement. This is especially true when the subject matter or the position taken by the speaker is making you angry. In this circumstance, your interjections, if not thoroughly thought through, may just make the person defensive. Problems can also arise if you are too nice and give a lot of positive comments. People like it when they are being praised. This can alter what the speaker is saying. If you continue to give positive comments the speaker will continue to want more of them from you. If you want to find out what the speaker is really thinking you need to listen and withhold evaluation. As well as withholding evaluation one must also show patience. While many activities require patience no other activity requires more patience than listening. According to Diana Bone most of us only listen at about 25% of what we are capable of. And that our belief in the fact that we are good listeners is one of the reasons for this. Diana Bone also says that with enough patience and hard work we can sustain 100% of listening effectiveness even if for only short periods of time. One of the hardest times to listen is when we have something to say. We must put what we want to say aside for a moment to allow a person to express their ideas. For a conversation or even a meeting to be successf...
