Listening can sometimes reveal solutions, but there are more reasons to listen. Stephen Covey defines this as the fifth habit in his bestselling book, "7 Habits of Highly Effective People." It's critical: Seek first to understand, then to be understood.

Why is it important to first understand before you attempt to expect your ideas to be understood? People form opinions based on their own experiences. We filter everything we hear through our life experiences and frames of reference. Another reason is that others will listen to us when they feel understood.

Compare hearing to listening: Hearing is simply the act of perceiving sound by the ear. If you are not deaf, hearing happens.

Listening, however, is something you consciously choose to do. Listening requires concentration so that your brain processes the meaning of words and sentences.