Levels of Listening
Level 1: Ignoring
If you have ever been ignored there is no doubt about it. You are talking but the other person is not giving any attention to what you are saying.
Now, it is possible the person did not hear you. If that is the case, it is not ignoring.
Level 2: Pretend Listening
To truly hear someone takes time and attention.
Pretend listeners give you the impression they hear what you say, and they may hear some of your words, but they are not “present.”
They may nod their head or offer another gesture to indicate they are listening, but they are not giving you their full attention.
Level 3: Selective Listening
The next level is selective listening. The person who listens selectively only wants part of the message, but not all. They are probably the person who says, “So, what’s your point?”
They are quick to interrupt the person who is speaking or they have the tendency to finish the other person’s sentences.
Level 4: Attentive Listening
Attentive listeners offer their time and attention. But they are one step short of being empathic listeners because attentive listeners hear from their frame of reference. They don’t try to put themselves in the other person’s shoes.
Level 5: Empathic Listening
Empathic listening is intentional. The person who develop this skill listens not only to the other person’s words, they listen for what the other person means. They are willing to give their time AND full attention to truly hear the other person.
Sources
- https://worldofwork.io/2020/10/otto-scharmers-4-levels-of-listening-be-a-better-listener/
- https://www.revolutionlearning.co.uk/article/the-5-levels-of-listening/