Not Always Required
Curiosity was working on me the other day as I sat down for a quick internet surfing session. My curiosity for this particular session was about the number of words we use each day. What I found was information all over the map ranging from how many unique words we use a day to how many total words used by gender. There was one study conducted at the University of Arizona that found a range across their sample size from 700 to 47,000 words a day but the overall non-gender specific average is 16,000 words a day. As I continued clicking through various sites, I ran across one very interesting comment at a site called speechmastery.com.
“Recognize that with communication, it is not necessary always to say something back. Develop into a great listener.”
Have you ever noticed our innate need to think we have to say something back to everything said to us? I know I have a tendency to say “right” throughout a conversation. That response comes from what I have learned about basic listening skills which suggests we acknowledge the other person’s words but do not step all over their words. Other than acknowledging, I strive to listen and only respond where there is a logical opening or the other party asks a question. I’m not saying I always do it, but I aspire to be a good listener. When the urge to jump in on a conversation hits me, the following sentence seems to pop into me head. “Listening is a commitment and a compliment.” Give someone a compliment today by listening rather working on your daily quota of 16,000 words.
Rodney
It's natural to try to comment on everything, like now! I have found it is unsettling when in a face to face conversation to smile and not comment, especially if you are going to be contentious.
ReplyDeleteHi Rod. Somebody once said to me "I never learned anything while I was talking".
ReplyDeleteListeneing is a great skill that has to be learned in most cases.
I visit dozens of random or regular blogs every week and I often don't comment unless I have something to say. I don't feel there's any point in saying "Great post, weel done".
However.....interesting post!
nice blog~~^^
ReplyDelete