Hindrances to being a good listener

Since listening is so important, why aren’t we better at it? Here are three possible reasons:

  1. Personal character deficiencies such as self-centeredness, pride, arrogance, glory-seeking, narrow-mindedness, or being preoccupied and disinterested.
  2. Excessive talking. Your mouth and your ears cannot function well simultaneously. When you’re talking, you’re not listening.
  3. Not understanding the value of listening. Do you merely tolerate listening to others because it’s the socially acceptable thing to do, or do you truly value it?