Our education has always prioritized reading, writing and conversation as the main communication skills, and left listening skills behind.

Most people give little value to the importance of listening more effectively and, when they listen, they are rather preparing a response and thinking about regaining control of the conversation instead of understanding. This habit often results in unhappy customers and ticked-off colleagues and employees.

The ability to listen actively is considered one of the key qualities in a work context. The issue is that most people don’t realize how their bad habits can affect and obstruct their capacity to listen, and consequently, the effectiveness of their communication.

Many among us assume we are good listeners, but it is not the case. Studies show that the untrained listener listens with an average effectiveness rate of 25%. Listening is a skill that can be learned  - a competence that can be developed.

Interpersonal communication includes two dimensions: the explicit content dimension and the relational dimension that conveys meaning tied to the affective state of the interlocutors and their relationship.

To summarize:

• The content dimension corresponds to what is said or expressed.
• The relational dimension corresponds to the way it is said and above all, received.

The relational dimension of communication contains meanings that have as much weight and impact as the content of the message. These meanings are often expressed through non-verbal and para-verbal communication.

The essence of communication does not reside in the transfer of information from a transmitter to a receiver, but in the relational process and the results of the interaction.

Only taking the content dimension into account is like amputating the interaction from its essential meanings. «Communication» problems are rarely a simple misunderstanding about the content.