Ever since you were a toddler, did you like being commanded to listen? I know I don't and you probably don't either, despite the fact that we can all listen better at times.

Anyone who utters the word "listen" on a regular basis had better be a person in a position of authority and leadership. Otherwise their "listen ups" will soon fall on deaf ears. Well maybe not quite deaf ears, but ears that hear the words "listen" while they are doing exactly that listening. So eventually the command to listen gets tuned out when not used with discretion.

Why? Because the brain simply rejects it.

The ears hear the word "listen" and the brain thinks what in the name of the Department of Housing and Urban Development do you think I'm doing?

That said please avoid starting all of your conversations or voicemail messages by saying "listen". It is just a waste of breath and a stealth like agitator in any situation where the other person is already listening.