Idea 41: Five key listening skills
‘Is there, do you think, an art of speaking as of other things, if it is to be done skilfully and with profit to the hearer?’
‘Yes.’
‘And are all profited by what they hear, or only some among them? So that it seems there is an art of listening as well of speaking ⦠To make a statue needs skill; to view a statue aright needs skill also.’
Epictetus, Greek Stoic philosopher
| Be willing to listen | Wanting to listen comes first. In most contexts listening also requires an openness of mind, a willingness in principle to think or act differently. |
| Hear the message | Receiving clearly what is actually being said â not a penny more, not a penny less â is the next vital ingredient. There may be problems in physically hearing; ... |
