This paper makes a novel attempt to suggest how to listen at workplace with a narration of 10 mythological Indian stories from the past. Based on the narrative framework and using these stories, the authors highlight the different types of listening and how these listening skills, when practiced, can strengthen the interpersonal relationship at workplace. Since narratives increase comprehension and engage and arouse interest, this paper synthesizes the mythological narratives within a professional context. Through these stories, the authors argue that managers and leaders need to train and equip themselves in the art of listening, engage in deliberate practice and become role models for their subordinates and employees, so that in this digital age, when they are under information overload, they know how to listen, connect better, build better relationships, take decisions and resolve conflicts in their professional domains.

Listening contributes to more than three quarters of what is being learned in schools (Hunsaker, 1990), enables the individuals to strive for long-term goals, helps them build a perspective of the world, and provides them interpretation of life’s experiences (Linebarger, 2001). On a given working day, while 33% to 55% of time is spent on listening, the rest 23% to 26% is spent on speaking, 13% to 19% on reading, and 8% on writing, extending to 23% in case of business personnel (Weinrauch and Swanda, 1975; Werner, 1975; and US Department of Labor, 1991). Despite that, listening “receives least instruction in school” (Coakley and Wolvin, 1997) and negligible training in most universities (Wacker and Hawkins, 1995). However, it is rated as one of the top solicited skills at entry level and for promotions (James, 1992; Hynes and Bhatia, 1996; and Goby and Lewis, 2000).

Soft Skills Journal, Mythological Stories