Developing your listening skills is really useful

We all know that speaking up and getting your point over at a meeting is important. However, I am sure that we have all taken part in meetings when everyone is so keen to speak that we do not listen to one another. 

It is not only important to speak, it is also important to listen. If people speak but do not listen then there is no conversation. If people do not listen to each other we can’t learn from each other and they cannot cooperate to achieve a goal. 

If people are talking and are not listening some people will find it difficult to get to speak because everyone else is busy speaking. Listening to each other will help improve inclusion because it will help everyone to speak at meetings. 

Sometimes it is hard for us to listen because, instead of listening, we are waiting to speak. I use a technique to help me listen. I have learned to ask myself what is going to be the last thing that someone is going to say. This technique helps me to listen to every word someone is saying and not to interrupt the person speaking. 

Asking myself what will be the last thing that someone says on a subject during a discussion also helps me when I speak because I can take into account what others have said. 

Listening is an important skill for testers. We need to build a rapport with developers and listening to them will help. We also need to hear every point of view on a subject because we may hear something that will help us test. We need to listen to stakeholders to know what they expect and hope for. We also need the team to work cooperatively because teams that work cooperatively achieve more.

This podcast from Amy Gallo via Harvard Business Review is a great resource with useful tips for improving your listening skills: Practice Your Active Listening Skills.