Why Don T We Listen Better Summary

Summary Petersen’s book entitled, Why don’t we listen better? Communicating and Connecting in Relationships, gives its readers details about sufficient listening and improving their communication skills. It examines self-revelation by gathering contrasting communication methods that help form strong relationships. Petersen suggests that majority of individuals seem to think we are good listeners; however, in the majority of cases we are not. Within the writings of this book, we have distinguished that even the most declared individuals find that their listening skills are probably not the best. When we fail to really pay attention to someone that is talking to us, it can heavily affect the relationship and how we feel towards one another.
I found the concept of the talker-listener card (TLC), which gives examples on how to have more productive conversations when talking to someone who needs to express themselves (Petersen, 2007), to be very insightful. Through reading this book, I gained increased awareness as to why I have occasionally engaged in awful communication, not only with my sister but also with my husband. Petersen lays out how emotions and feelings can conclude how we relate to our environment (Petersen, 2007). When it comes to my communication with my husband, especially after we have had an argument, I constantly inquire about his feelings until he tells me. Seldom do I give him the opportunity to calm down and express himself when he is ready, which causes additional complications in our communication. In using the Talker-Listener Card, there is an establishment of a focal point and assists in developing a better self-assessment. The TLC aids us in focusing on areas we need to work on so we can become more like Christ and acknowledge other people by letting them share their profound burdens with us. Galatians 6:2 says “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ”