“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply”

Posted on by The Wild Gems

What makes a teacher great?

That great quote is by Steve Covey.

What I want to say first is that ALL OF US are teachers. In fact, everything can provide a lesson if you’re searching.

Without thinking we teach people what to do and what not to do. All of us are highly influential and teaching others around us in every interaction. Whether we are conscious about it or taking the “lessons” in subconsciously. You are a teacher.

In one sentence though I’ll say what I believe is a great teacher. Not that I don’t want to elaborate on my response, I just don’t have much time in this moment.

A great teacher is one that listens. And a great student is one that listens.

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Published by The Wild Gems

We are all like precious stones. We all come in different shapes and sizes. It is when we are cut and polished that we begin to live a more radiant life.
The Wild Gems hopes to inspire you to live life to the fullest and to enjoy every moment!

4 thoughts on ““Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply””

  1. Regarding that quote by Covey: i understand it highlights the importance of listening or reading. I have read other suggestions on importance of proper listening. But the listening with an intent to reply is natural. I feel there’s no brilliance in highlighting what’s natural. Reading and writing go hand-in-hand. So do listening and speaking. Being careful in both is important. I don’t buy that “two ears for listening and one mouth for speech argument.” If I have two eyes for reading and ten fingers for typing: what should I do more? It’s only logical to type more than to I read. Reading to write or listening to reply is fair and natural. It’s a skill. 😁🙏👍

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    1. Thank you for reading and thank you for sharing your opinion! You are absolutely right on what you said! —“Listening with an intent to reply is natural.”

      What I believe this author is saying and many other authors/writers is that the need to reply can sometimes just very well be our egos creeping in, trying to prove a point, eager to share what we think. So we are listening when an intent to reply vs. really trying to hear what the other is saying and soaking in it a little bit. And I think it’s something the author kind of challenges us to do with our face to face conversations.

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      1. With the natural thing: speakers develop skill to deliver messages succinctly and for elaborate discussions they hire psychiatrists. Psychiatrists going out of business is not my concern to be honest. 😂😁

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  2. Definity agreeing with you – “Without thinking we teach people what to do and what not to do. All of us are highly influential and teaching others around us in every interaction. Whether we are conscious about it or taking the “lessons” in subconsciously. You are a teacher.”

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