Communication is one of the traits of every living being, whether plants, animals or humans. We like to communicate and go about it in different ways. The most important aspect of communication is that you are heard and understood. If otherwise, misunderstanding could arise. The best way to ensure that miscommunication does not occur is if the other party listens and listens well.
We have the 'talkers' and we have the 'listeners'. I am more of a listener than a talker though my profession requires that I do more talking. For a fee of course!
But first, how can there be something to talk about if there is no listening? Note there is always someone listening. Even the walls listen in case you love to indulge in monologues.
Have you watched the tv series The Listener? It's a fantasy drama about a paramedic with telepathic powers which he used to listen to the thoughts of victims and criminals and helped resolve the cases that came up.
I believe this series depicts that there is an art to listening in communication which goes beyond just using our physical ears to hear. True listening involves using every part of your being. It involves not only your physical ears but also listening with your head and your heart. How often do you listen with your heart?
From experience I know that there are things your ears would miss in a conversation that your heart would pick up on. For instance, a child could be trying to explain to the parents that he's been bullied in school. Yes, the parents heard but for a perceptive parent, he/she may go further to understand the extent to which the bullying had affected the child or reason for the bullying in the first place.
For some individuals, information is power. They have made good money and improved your financial status because of information they gleaned from effective listening. To quote Plutarch, a Greek philosopher,
Know how to listen, and you will profit even from those who talk badly.
This goes to show that listening more than speaking pays more. There's a saying - the empty barrel makes the loudest noise. I have found this saying to be true. People who are loquacious hardly have anything of value to give or add.
However, brilliant minds are those silent ones, who think more than they talk. Ask them questions and you will gain a wealth of knowledge from just a few sentences that they would utter. But not every quiet person is a wealth of information and wisdom.
Remember, be slow to speak and quick to listen. How well do you listen?