How Well Do You Listen?

The Bible teaches that you "should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." (James 1:19)

The quality of your listening skills powerfully impacts your marriage, your parenting, your friendships and your work relationships.

Evaluate yourself by printing and completing the following survey.

When others are talking to me . . .

I find myself finishing their sentences.
__ rarely __ occasionally __ often __ usually

I give my opinions before hearing them out.
__ rarely __ occasionally __ often __ usually

I get restless and impatient.
__ rarely __ occasionally __ often __ usually

I lose track of what is being said.
__ rarely __ occasionally __ often __ usually

I fidget with objects.
__ rarely __ occasionally __ often __ usually

I mentally rehearse what I am going to say next.
__ rarely __ occasionally __ often __ usually

I take control of the conversation.
__ rarely __ occasionally __ often __ usually

I interrupt with frequent comments or questions.
__ rarely __ occasionally __ often __ usually

I am suspicious of hidden agendas.
__ rarely __ occasionally __ often __ usually

I try to immediately diagnose their problems.
__ rarely __ occasionally __ often __ usually

I worry about how to respond instead of listening.
__ rarely __ occasionally __ often __ usually

I tell them how to fix their problem.
__ rarely __ occasionally __ often __ usually

I listen briefly and then begin talking.
__ rarely __ occasionally __ often __ usually

I tend to contradict what has been said.
__ rarely __ occasionally __ often __ usually

I misinterpret what has been said.
__ rarely __ occasionally __ often __ usually

I answer before gaining real understanding.
__ rarely __ occasionally __ often __ usually

If you answered "often" or "usually" to three or more of the questions above, or if you answered "occasionally" to eight or more - you could benefit dramatically by improving your listening skills.

Click to find out more about the Listening for Heaven's Sake training.