#MyFavouriteTedTalks: The Art of Listening

'If a tree falls on the ground in a forest where there is no one around to hear it, does it still make a sound?' On a short vacation this week, I felt myself being compellingly checked and reviewed on my listening skills by my two teenage girls! 'Dad, were you even listening to what we just said? We can see that you heard us, though!' is a new line that I often hear now. It's that time in our lives when the young adults in our family are not just getting to know the difference between hearing and listening - but are calling it out too!

We know this thing about having two ears that should make us listen twice of what we speak. We all understand the importance of listening, paying attention and being present. Just that we don't do it enough - wandering, distracted and busy minds have always taken us away to every other place except where we need to be!

The 4th in the series of #MyFavouriteTedTalks is on the Art of Listening. Being listened to is one of the greatest human privileges. What is the use of any great talk, if it did not have the listener who paid attention, tuned in, respected the feelings and opinions, clarified and understood! 'It is the province of knowledge to speak, and it is the privilege of wisdom to listen' said the great Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.

So here they come. the three best ted talks that you must listen to, on Listening!

1. How to Listen Better - tips from a deaf guy: Stephen O' Keefe

The first talk on Listening is from a person who is deaf! Yes. Incredible as it sounds, this is one of the most heart warming talks that I've listened to. Stephen O' Keefe's talk is full of humour and witticisms as he takes us through his journey of 'listening'. Listen with full attention, Listen with your eyes and Listen with your heart are the three most valuable 'tips' that you will take away. And when this comes from a person who has been challenged to hear and then he delivers a great talk that has the audience rolling with laughter - it's stunning! I've never seen a more perfect demonstration of Active and Deep Listening as Stephen so endearingly does! Promise a warm, fuzzy feeling to set in as you listen in! (12:03 mins)

2. The Power of Listening : Willaim Ury

William Ury, cofounder of Harvard’s Program on Negotiation, is one of the world’s best-known and most influential experts on negotiation. He is the co-author of Getting To Yes, the bestselling negotiation book in the world. In this most watched Ted talk, Ury candidly relates his many experiences with powerful world leaders and how his ability to just sit calm and listen saved his backside. And made great leaders bend in and give in - paving the way for many global conflict resolutions! Listening is more than 50% of the communication process and sometimes it's the only thing that matters. He asks us to join on to a listening revolution, and promises that if we all just listen a little bit more, we can transform any relationship. Why do we never teach listening skills in schools and how about the idea of having 'listening shows' along with talk shows on TV? This is a seminal talk on listening from the world renown expert! (15.40 min)

3. 5 Ways to Listen Better : Julian Treasure

In our louder and louder world, says sound expert Julian Treasure "We are losing our listening." In this short, fascinating talk, Treasure shares five ways to re-tune your ears for conscious listening - to other people and the world around you. How often did you listen to your washing machine 'waltzing', the character filled deep rumble and grumble of your four wheeler engine when it is revving, or the almost hypnotic, trance like sound of water droplets falling somewhere in the quiet!? Julian Treasure is a sound and communication expert and has also a book on 'Sound Business' that helps businesses discover the power of sound and listening to create the maximum positive impact. I found this talk fascinating and he also leaves you with 5 simple ways to enable better listening - this time from a sound expert! (7:50 mins)

“The most basic of all human needs is the need to understand and be understood. The best way to understand people is to listen to them.” said Ralph G. Nichols. It is perhaps the most well known, most instructed aspect in our lives right from our childhoods. Yet, by far the most not paid attention to!

'Good morning children, please listen carefully' 'Listen with your ears wide open!'. 'Are you even listening to what I am trying to say?'. ' I just wished I listened to you at that time'. These lines have created more impact in our lives when they were said, than any other. Maybe it's time to start doing that a bit more consciously now - begin to listen to yourself first, maybe. And then to the folks who matter!

Thank you for Listening!