So, when I'm training a group of people, I almost always ask that questions be held until the end of the program. I assure the audience that I will leave more than enough time for Q&A and that every question will be answered. Invariably, there will be several frowns cast my way.
I know that these folks are likely the ones who are not good listeners. They can't wait for the information or, more likely, they've been thinking while I've been talking and their questions are burning a hole through their skull.
I then tell the group that if they don't understand something I've said, please speak up immediately. There's a difference between don't know and don't understand. I don't want to leave anyone behind who may be confused by something I've said, or who may require a different example or analogy in order to gain full comprehension of what we're discussing.
The difference between the two is clear and yet we often lump questions into the same catagory. Active listeners more often than not ask clarifying questions once all the data is in. Inactive Listeners ask questions at the beginning, middle and end of presentations usually because their not fully engaged in hearing out the speaker.
I identified this practice in myself and have worked hard to be an active, almost intense, listener. It can almost be unsettling to others when I make full eye contact and say nothing while they are talking. It's kinda funny, really, but it tells me how infrequent they are really listened to. And that's a shame because as @enazwahsdsrb's mentor said, everyone's opinion is of value.
Wow this is quite a comment!
Thank you for your take on this topic. It was interesting to hear your view points. It's funny, because I am one of those people who's questions burn holes in my brain :D I have to be an active listener.
The thing is, sometimes being too active can get quite annoying for the person explain. On top of that, I have (personally of course) noticed that when I am super active with my mouth, I tend to start being the explainer, by habit, and not the one being explained to :D
I appreciate your opinion. Not 100% sure if you were sort of giving the other side of the story, but I definitely agree with both!
Posting my next series very shortly. Stay tuned. Talk soon.