ABSTRACT
Listening is a core competence. People who cannot listen cannot relate. Nichols and Stevens (1957) estimate that 45 per cent of all communication time is spent listening compared with 30 per cent speaking, 16 per cent reading and 9 per cent writing. Despite the fact that people spend so much time listening, few ever receive any formal training on how to listen effectively. Poor listening undermines the ability to communicate with others. Anyone who wants to be an effective negotiator, interviewer, coach, consultant, leader or group member needs to be a good listener.
