Weekly Press Release of Istanbul Gelisim University (Issue 96) (April 5-9, 2021)

BY A DOYEN - Listening in Interpersonal Communication as a Basic Communication Skill Listening, which is the lifeblood of interpersonal communication and relationships, is undoubtedly not the same as hearing. Listening is basically a skill like any skill people have. Similar to any skill, this skill can and should be improved. However, while we all watch television, view our files, read our e-mails, read a book or participate in any other activity, the people around us (our friends, students, friends, visitors etc.) usually want us to listen to them in order to convey their messages. We try to listen to these people while carrying on doing what we do by saying “I am listening to you, but I have to do these things”. Nevertheless, we don’t actually listen to those people. Because the behavior we display is a clear indication that we do not listen to those people. Therefore, listening is a process that is different from hearing and requires effort beyond hearing.