Listen or Not to Listen; that is the question.

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There are several different aspects of Managerial Communication that are crucial to any industry's success. My field of study is General Business with an emphasis on Small Business/Entrepreneurship. I am looking to implement the skills I have acquired while on this educational journey to better my success within my current occupation, which is an executive level recruiter to the pharmaceutical industry. This position requires me to match the company needs to the skills of various top-level executives. One of the most vital communication skills this task requires is listening; listening to both Human Resources and the candidates being considered for the position to ensure that their needs are in line with one another.
Hearing and listening are two very different things. While hearing is one of the five senses most people are born with, listening is a cognitive skill. According to About.com's career planning article, "It is possible to have one but not the other. Someone who is hearing impaired can be a great listener if he or she pays attention to the information someone conveys to them, regardless of how it is being communicated. Likewise, someone with very sharp hearing can be a poor listener." Interestingly enough, thought speed is greater than speaking speed. This means while someone is speaking we have the capabilities to effectively listening and digest the information at a quicker rate than the information is delivered. This is why we sometimes already know where a conversation is going before it even gets there. In an article written by skillsyouneed.com, they state, "Many successful leaders and entrepreneurs credit their success to effective listening skills. Richard Branson frequently quotes listening as one of the main...

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...age with fellow recruiters and gain knowledge off of each other’s experience. Sharing thoughts, past experiences and obstacles within the work place can lead to better strategies for accomplishing tasks, and even promotes camaraderie.
In summation, well-groomed and effective listening skills are vital in every business function and play a key role in entrepreneurial success. Honing these essential skills will definitely give you and your company a competitive edge over those who do not. From acquiring clients and retaining them, to building stronger working relationships with coworkers and better professional strategies, the benefits of good listening skills are almost endless. Realistically, anyone can speak and/or learn to speak effectively, however, it takes so much more to become an effective listener. All in all, listening skills are more than meets the ear.

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