The Listening Quiz

The most effective way to improve communications is to become a better listener.

After all, 80% (give or take 5%) of effective communication involves listening.

To determine your listening quotient, take this test:

Yes      No	I anticipate  what people will say next as they are speaking.
Yes      No	I’m constantly judging the merit of what people say from the very first sentence.
Yes      No	I discount what other people say, if they don’t agree with my opinions and values.
Yes      No	I rarely pay attention to people’s nonverbal cues (such as body language and facial expressions).
Yes      No	I let my biases and opinions affect my ability or willingness to listen to what some people say.
Yes      No	I prepare what I’m going to say in response while the other person is talking.
Yes      No	I often interrupt people to speed along a conversation or to inject my opinion.
Yes      No	If I disagree with people, I interrupt them immediately to set the record straight.
Yes      No	Most of the time, I am ready with an response right when the other person stops talking.
Yes      No	If the other person is long winded or boring, I stop listening.
Yes      No	When I stop paying attention to someone, I try to look like I’m listening anyway.
Yes      No	When I know what people are going to say, I don’t wait for them to finish, but answer right away.