How do people listen?

Only the other day, I was giving a talk called 2-4-6-8 How Do You Communicate? and one of the points I made was that people listen to presentations for a confirmation of their own ideas. Also, they drift in and out of what you are saying, as extraneous thoughts intrude into their minds.

While I was saying this, one chap in the audience of 200 sent me 5 or 6 text messages -- actually DURING my talk!!

He disputed everything I was saying, ignoring the positive response I was getting from everyone else. Clearly he had his own agenda and fell into the 2 percent who will hate you no matter what, just as 2 per cent will love you, no matter what.

I was not offended, only amused. But it made me aware of the need to enagage every member of an audience and ensure that, if I am offering advice (for example, on how to give a talk), that I follow by own advice to the letter. An instructive experience.