Interesting query Wade.
I sometimes think that you think of us as another of your class of students, probing our minds and searching for tidbits of insight and provocative thought. ::wink:
OK, I'm game.
There is much to be said about this and many schools of thought on this subject. But I will start out with some of my core beliefs
Try as you might, you really can't make people listen. The argument for semantics begs attention here, in that people will "hear" you if you talk.
But hearing is a passive activity that occurs whenever the ear perceives sound waves. As far as the act of listening, which is truly trying to understand another person's point of view, that is an act of the will. As such, it cannot be forced.People must choose to listen; you can't make them do it.
While it's true that we don't have control over others' personal choices and therefore can't force people to listen, we do have control over the kind of atmosphere we create.
The first thing to do when you want to "make people listen" is know the person that you are talking to. And perhaps the first aspect to consider in "getting people to listen" is ensuring your message is purposeful.
Even with above said, I truly believe that you must first give what you want to get. In other words, if you want people to listen to you, you first must listen to them.The likelihood of other people listening increases dramatically when you're listening well yourself.
Much more that I could say, but as a "chronologically challenged" person it is getting close to my sleep time. So for now, I shall leave it here.
To be continued....