The 7 Types of Listeners

The 7 Types of Listeners

Listening is not the same as hearing. You can hear everything, but still not really be listening, and later on wonder what it was you heard! Learning to listen is an important skill. For what you say when you respond is proof of how well you listen.

• The “Preoccupieds”

These people come across as rushed and are constantly looking around or doing something else. Also known as multi-taskers, these people cannot sit still and listen.

• The “Out-to-Lunchers”

These people are physically there for you, but mentally, they are not. You can tell this by the blank look on their faces. They are either daydreaming or thinking about something else entirely.

• The “Interrupters”

These people are ready to chime in at any given time. They are perched and ready for a break to complete your sentence for you. They are not listening to you. They are focused on trying to guess what you will say and what they want to say.

• The “Whatevers”

These people remain aloof and show little emotion when listening. They do not seem to care about anything you have to say.

• The “Combatives”

These people are armed and ready for war. They enjoy disagreeing and blaming others.

• The “Analysts”

These people are constantly in the role of counselor or therapist, and they are ready to provide you with unsolicited answers. They think they are great listeners and love to help. They are constantly in an analyze-what-you-are-saying-and-fix-it mode.

• The “Engagers”

These are the consciously aware listeners. They listen with their eyes, ears, and hearts and try to put themselves in the speaker’s shoes. This is listening at the highest level. Their listening skills encourage you to continue talking and give you the opportunity to discover your own solutions and let your ideas unfold.

Active listening is really an extension of the Golden Rule. To know how to listen to someone else, think about how you would want to be listened to. Here's what good listeners should know:

1. Face the speaker.

2. Maintain eye contact.

3. Minimize external distractions.

4. Respond appropriately to show that you understand.

5. Focus solely on what the speaker is saying.

6. Minimize internal distractions.

7. Keep an open mind.

8. Avoid letting the speaker know how you handled a similar situation.

9. Even if the speaker is launching a complaint against you, wait until she finishes to defend yourself.

10. Engage yourself