Because we're already bad enough in our communications skills with one mouth and two ears :)
(ok, ok, this may not apply to you. Let's just say I'm speaking in general, about the majority of people. So, don't shut down on me just yet.)
Thinking generally, don't we tend to use our mouths to speak a lot more than we use our ears to listen?
You must have heard the rather common and frequent admonition, "Why do you think we have two ears and one mouth?"
Well, if only we'd listen more and speak less ...
There'd be a lot less misunderstanding among people and nations and a lot more understanding. Now, hang on ... do you realized that we often speak of misunderstanding at work, among friends, at home. How often do we speak of "understanding" at work, at home or at play?
A lot of this lack of listening, relative to speaking, has to do with society, our conditioning and education. Almost all of us are brought up being told repeatedly how important it is to speak well. We hold in esteem those who speak well. (And don't we think there is something wrong with the quieter boys or girls in class?) We pay attention to the art of public speaking, and have all heard about it. Some of us may even have enrolled for courses on public speaking, or would like to? Many have joined clubs that promote effective public speaking. Heard of the Toastmasters?
Debating is often seen as a contest of who can speak better. Have you ever considered that the better debater is the one who listens better, and therefore can rebut more to the point? No?
As a result of social and educational conditioning, what's often missing in our communication skills is the listening.
Whoever have heard of the Art of Public (or Private) Listening? Would you sign up for that course?
