A Brief Note on Listening

The focus of this chapter has been on your ability to communicate with others effectively. However, the ability to listen effectively is also a big part of communication skills. Although I do not cover this skill, it is one that will greatly impact your ability to succeed.

Understanding what management or your client is saying and translating that to effective technology is critical. Too often, technologists tend to listen with a preconceived notion of how the problem should be solved without actually listening to the need or desire. This can lead to misdirected projects that, although effective, do not address the primary concern.