What are the barriers to good listening?

Liz Makin Author

Mar 16, 2026 |

Listening is one of the key communication skills, so in this blog we take a look at what is stopping you from being a good listener.

You can think you are a good listener, but how often do you really listen to what other people are saying?

Listening is not just about hearing. It is when you truly understand the other person's point of view, what they are thinking, how they are feeling and how they see the world. Good listening will improve your relationships and communication, as well as maximise your effectiveness in life and at work.

What are the barriers to good listening? 

There are many barriers to listening including:

1. Interrupting when the other person is talking.

2. Giving advice or offering solutions when the other person is speaking.

3. Using humour or emotionally laden language inappropriately.

4. Distracting the other person.

5. Having preconceptions or making assumptions about what the other person might say and should say or what they are thinking and feeling.

6. Not focusing 100% on listening to the other person, resulting in your attention wandering or being selective.

7. Thinking faster than the other person can talk, so you are making incorrect assumptions or not hearing part of the conversation.

8. Not allowing enough time for the conversation.

9. Having the conversation in an inappropriate environment e.g. a private conversation in an open plan office.

10. Thinking of other things, planning what you want to say next or daydreaming.

How is your listening? Are you exhibiting any of these behaviours resulting in poor listening? What do you need to change for better listening?

Do you want to explore more about communication and how to more effectively communicate and build good relationships?

If you want practical tips and strategies to help you more effectively communicate and build good relationships in your life and at work our communication online courses are for you.

Take a look at our communication online courses by clicking on the links below:

Communication for business owners, directors & managers

Communication for life: how to be a better communicator

Conflict management for life & work

How to deal with difficult people in life & work

You can take a look at our range of online personal development courses and bundles, including current special offers, at https://onlinecourses.makinithappen.co.uk

Categories: : Communication, Listening, Online courses, Personal development, Soft skills