I have heard the word toppers used to describe people who always have a better story. There could also be interrupter toppers (ITs) who can't wait for a story to end before beginning theirs. Then, there are those who never really listen. They sort of get the gist of what someone is saying and generically respond by saying "good job", "wow", or "that's great." Multitaskers talk on the phone while doing a myriad of other things. The idiom "In one ear and out the other" makes me wonder if things are even going in one ear.
As a teacher, I realized that I had to explain simple directions many times because some kids just weren't listening. Other kids have selective hearing. "Let's see, if I pretend I don't hear, I won't have to do what she says."
Listening is not overrated. Libby Gill's article on dallasnews.com is titled "Can you hear me now?" She recommends becoming a better listener with the three Cs. "Focused listening calls for commitment, concentration and caring." If you truly want to increase your listening skills, she has some questions that can help with the process.
Do you maintain appropriate eye contact with the speaker?
Do you lean in, mirror body language and show the speaker that you are actively engaged in what he or she is saying?
Do you summarize or reflect the speaker's ideas in positive ways?
Do you ask thoughtful questions that encourage further dialogue?
Focused listening means listening like your life may depend on it. Ms. Gill describes it as the way you would listen to an airline stewardess give safety information if the plane was actually crashing. Her article has some great advice for tuning up those listening skills and could easily be incorporated into lesson plans.