Comments on: Dealing With People Who Don’t Listen!

By: Sarah Harvey

Sarah Harvey — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 08:25:53 +0000

Hi Artees,

Thanks for your comments about listening.

You make a very valid point regarding the potential consequences of not listening and I would agree entirely that any generic advice/good practice must be adapted to the specifics of each situation.

Do you believe that people can be shown/learn the skills of better listening? I know I do, as I have seen people go from poor to very good listeners with a bit of guidance, coaching and helpful tools. My belief is that sometimes people don't realize they are poor listeners so raising their self-awareness is often a helpful approach in the first instance.

Sarah
Mind Tools Coach

By: Artees Vannett

Artees Vannett — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 01:59:47 +0000

But what about in the workplace where not listening can lead to death or dismemberment. I’ve read so many comments which place so much on the leader to listen and hear what they say. I call total BS on this. If you have workers who cannot listen, remove them. They put you and your team at risk. It’s not about that individual person, it’s about the team and honoring them all. If someone singles themselves out by not listening they’ve obviously chosen they think of themselves as above the team and that is a recipe for disaster.

By: Greta

Greta — Thu, 09 Jun 2022 01:33:01 +0000

I have learned a few just right stuff here. Certainly worth
bookmarking for revisiting.

By: Sarah Harvey

Sarah Harvey — Thu, 03 Mar 2022 09:10:49 +0000

In reply to JimFef.

Thanks JimFef,

We're pleased you found it interesting.

Sarah
Mind Tools Coach

By: JimFef

JimFef — Wed, 02 Mar 2022 19:55:47 +0000

Really interesting post!

By: Sarah Harvey

Sarah Harvey — Thu, 10 Feb 2022 10:41:17 +0000

In reply to steve. Thanks Steve, that's such a great analogy. It leaves me wondering what you do, however, to help the deer release its horns from the rope? Sarah, Mind Tools Team

By: steve

steve — Thu, 10 Feb 2022 03:31:40 +0000

If you can't hardly get a word in edgewise and its maybe the third time you've tried to reexplain what you said, I try to remember the deer I once saw. It kept moving away as I approached hoping to remove the rope snagged by its horns.

By: Sarah Harvey

Sarah Harvey — Mon, 31 Jan 2022 09:16:49 +0000

In reply to Janeqwe.

Hi Jane,

I can see that can be frustrating.

It might be worth thinking about why your sister is not listening when you are trying to help her. Perhaps she is not ready to hear your advice? Or perhaps there is another reason why she is not willing to hear you? If you could get to the bottom of that it might help with how you get your message across to her more effectively?

Good luck,
Sarah, Mind Tools Team

By: Janeqwe

Janeqwe — Sat, 29 Jan 2022 01:04:35 +0000

I know the feeling as my sister called me on the phone the other day & isn't feeling well & she won't listen to me when I try to help her, I have been ill more times than her but she says I don't know how she feels Well actually I do but if u wont listen well stay ill then

By: Sonia Harris

Sonia Harris — Mon, 01 Nov 2021 07:01:18 +0000

In reply to Russ. That sounds frustrating, Russ. From what you've said, people seem to listen and focus on what you say at work, but this pattern doesn't cross over into other spaces. Have you ever considered comparing your body language, positioning, and distance while at work with those other spaces? It could be minor adjustments you could make to ensure your listeners are attentive wherever you are. --Sonia, Mind Tools team