The Hidden Step
www.necouncil.org/the
hidden
step
One of the keys to success during the phone interview is the
skill of listening.
In fact, the skill of listening is directly linked to success.
Based on a research in 2010 by Brown and Steil, 92 percent
of executives reach their position because of their skill to
listen. Listening was found to be the most important com-
munication skill for entry-level workers, subordinates, and
managers. Studies show that adults spend 70 percent of their
waking time communicating 55 percent of this time is spent
listening (this includes reading emails), compared to 20%
speaking, 16% writing (answering emails and correspon-
dence), and 9% reading.
Despite the importance of listening, the educational system
provides surprisingly little training in this skill. The greatest
amount of time is spent teaching the skills used least often.
Writing is taught most often and used second least, reading
receives the second-greatest amount of attention but used the
least, speaking receives the third-greatest amount, and listen-
ing—the most frequently used skill—is hardly taught at all.
You probably wish that someone had taught other people to
listen better. It is easy to remember times when you could
not get a word in without being interrupted by another per-
son. Of course it is not so easy to remember times when
YOU were a poor listener.
Some believe if they have heard the other person’s message,
they are listening. There is a defnite difference between
listening and hearing. Hearing is the process wherein sound
Preparation Step Five
Listen attentively
5
preparation steps