Scout ambassadors Bear Grylls and Tim Peake have backed new research which shows the importance of listening
Better listening is the key to a more cohesive society and a better working environment, according to new research.
A study by the Scouts has revealed 87% of adults believe UK society would be cohesive if people took more time to actively listen to each other. Despite this, some 86% of those surveyed said we don’t listen to each other enough in UK society.
The importance of listening in the workplace also can’t be overstated, with 97% of those surveyed believing that active listening leads to a more productive work environment.
Chief Scout Bear Grylls believes in the power of listening. He said: “Listening and learning go hand in hand. The most successful people I know in life are all great listeners, and they don’t talk too much.
“They listen first and listen often. They are able to really hear what is being said and understand the person that is speaking. There are fewer misunderstandings, more cooperation and more opportunities to learn when you listen to what a person is saying.”
Commenting on the importance of listening in the workplace, Tim Peake, Scout Ambassador and European Space Agency Astronaut said: “Active listening, not just hearing, is such an important life skill. It promotes better teamwork, understanding and cooperation, which are essential at work, at home, and in wider society.
“While aboard the International Space Station, attentive listening was critical to our mission success. It’s never too early to start, and as a young person the Scouts was already teaching me this valuable skill for life.”
Scouts develop listening skills by encouraging young people to work together in groups, often on community action projects. 91% of respondents agree that the Scouts help young people to develop this important skill by working together with different kinds of people in small teams.
For instance, through the Scouts’ award-winning campaign, A Million Hands, young people are spending time helping others in their communities, including those living with dementia, mental ill health and disabilities. Scouts believe in bringing people together, creating stronger communities and inspiring positive futures.
