Ten Misconceptions About Listening.

1. Listening is a matter of intelligence. The Fact: Careful listening is a learned behavior. 
2. Speaking is more important than listening in the communication process. The Fact: Speaking and listening are equally important. 
3.  Listening is easy and requires little energy. The Fact: Active listeners undergo the same physiological changes as a person jogging. 
4.  Listening and hearing are the same process. The Fact: Listening is a selective process, conscious. Hearing is an involuntary act. 
5.  Speaking is able to command listening. The Fact: Speakers cannot make a person really listen. 
6. Hearing ability determines listening ability. The Fact: Listening happens mentally between the ears. 
7.  Speakers are totally responsible for communication success. The Fact: The communication is two-way street. 
8. Listening is only a matter of understanding a speaker’s words. The Fact: Nonverbal signals also help listeners gain understanding. 
9. Daily practice eliminates the need for listening training. The Fact: Without effective listening training, most practice merely reinforces negative behaviors. 
10. Competence in listening develops naturally. The Fact: Untrained people listen at only 25 % efficiency.