#ValueofDebatingSeries

One of the most embarrassing moments in human history occurred during a presidential debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden. Biden is quoted saying “Shut up Man,” highlighting a lack of listening and a tendency to engage in unproductive heckling instead of meaningful debate.

In this article, we shall dive into the links between debating and the valuable human skill of listening. Get your note pad, coffee cup; fill it up and lets start the journey.

How does Debating enable a person to be a great listener?

1. Getting Ready To Listen
Debate teaches individuals the importance of being prepared to listen in two ways. First, it trains people in the mental preparation of listening — having a listening plan. During a debate you listen for specific things, points you want to answer, weakness in logic, supporting material and key points. Second, debaters also learn to concentrate on what is being said. To listen properly you must eliminate distraction and concentrate on the speaker and the implications of her words.

    2. Active Listening
    Listening during a debate is almost by definition active listening and every text book on communication in the world suggests that the key to listening is active listening. The mind can think much faster than any human being can talk. If you listen passively then the mind inevitably wanders. Debate teaches people to think about what is being said. Such active listening enhances both retention and understanding.

    3. Ignoring Red Flags or attempts at emotional manipulation.
    One of the biggest causes of poor listening is simply ignoring what is being received. This often occurs when the speaker says something that triggers an emotional switch with the listener. Debaters learn that arguments are tools and that a critical step in responding to even the most emotional of triggers is to fully understand and listen to it.

    4. Practice Makes Perfect
    Because a debate requires the listener to be very active in analyzing what is being said and because a debater must also think about what he is going to say, it is the perfect listening practice. Just like any other skill, good listeners are made not born, they work at it.

    References

    Wolf, F.I., Marsnik, N.C., Tacey, W.S. and Nichols, R.G. Perceptive Listening. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1983.

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