Too often, we are only half listening to what people are saying. This is because we believe we know what the other person is going to say or because our mind is on something else.
Sometimes we think we understood, but don't clarify to find out if in fact we did heard it right.
We may not have developed our listening skills, which is considered one of the most important skills in business,yet is rarely taught in schools.
Our minds are often in the past or future, depending on what we have done or need to do. Other times we are guessing or assuming what they are going to say. Some people are even afraid of what the other person might be saying and do not want to hear. Many times people only "listen" enough to respond.
Noises of all kinds get in our way. These distractions prevent us from hearing. They can be other people, telephones, radios, TVs and more. Many noises don