COURSE OVERVIEW:
Hearing is an accidental and automatic brain response to sound that requires no effort. We are surrounded by sounds most of the time. For example, we are accustomed to the sounds of airplanes, lawn mowers, the rattling of pots and pans, and so on. We hear those incidental sounds and, unless we have a reason to do otherwise, we train ourselves to ignore them. Listening, on the other hand, is purposeful and focused rather than accidental.
In today's high-tech, high-speed, high-stress world, communication is more important than ever, yet we seem to devote less and less time to really listening to one another. Effective listening has become a rare gift—the gift of time. It helps build relationships, solve problems, ensure understanding, resolve conflicts, and improve accuracy. At work, effective listening means fewer errors and less wasted time. At home, it helps develop resourceful, self-reliant kids who can solve their own problems. Listening builds friendships and careers. It saves money and marriages.
Listening is so important that many top employers provide listening skills training for their employees. This is not surprising when you consider that good listening skills can lead to better customer satisfaction, greater productivity with fewer mistakes, and increased sharing of information that in turn can lead to more creative and innovative work.
Effective listening skills are the ability to actively understand information provided by the speaker, and display interest in the topic discussed. It can also include providing the speaker with feedback, such as the asking of pertinent questions; so the speaker knows the message is being understood. Effective listening skills is one of the talents that a leader or manager must develop to be successful. Listening skills are also extremely important to an effective exchange between two individuals. Distractions can lead to the ineffective communication of information.
If there is one communication skill you should aim to master, then listening is it.
This course teaches you more than 50 crucial listening skills like how to listen effectively, how to show real interest, how to understand what you’ve heard and how to respond appropriately. After learning and implementing these techniques you will become a more effective communicator in all situations and will develop skills that will help you create positive relationships with colleagues, customers and other stakeholders.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of this course, you will be able to understand:
- The importance of improving your listening skills
- The difference between listening and hearing
- Why you should stop talking so much?
- Why you should not interrupt unnecessarily?
- How to create an atmosphere of trust?
- How to listen for disrespect?
- How to listen for mutual purpose?
- Why be slow to disagree, argue or criticise?
- Why pay attention to the need for conversation control?
- How to cultivate “beginner’s ear”?
- How to get comfortable with silence?
- How to manage emotional reactivity?
- How to avoid “should-ing” on people?
- Why stop when your energy flags?
- How to establish support for speaking truth to power?
- Why regularly practise kenosis?
- How to listen for feelings?
- How to listen as a caregiver?
- How to practise the golden rule of listening?
- Why avoid letting your story take over their story?
- How to check for meaning?
- Why listen for content not delivery?
- How to be genuinely curious?
- How to listen for underlying needs?
- How to identify defensiveness and practise non-defensiveness?
- How to listen for differences?
- How to develop “second attention at the edge”?
- Why learn to let go?
- How to listen between the words?
- How to champion the timid voice?
- Why listen for inconsistencies?
- Why return to the needs of the present moment?
- How to develop methods for skilful self-listening?
- Why cultivate patience?
- How to become someone who can hear hard truths?
- How to be mindful of age, race and bias?
- How to break the “I” habit?
- How to ask specific, clarifying questions?
- Why say what’s useful and what’s true?
- Why say what you see?
- How to use intention clarification?
- How to maximise the listening environment?
- How to listen to your own lacunae?
- Why practise strategic questioning?
- How to recognise your own “exit strategies”?
- How to practise the power of attunement?
- Why watch for compassion fatigue?
- How to create a community of practise?
COURSE DURATION:
The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.
COURSE DELIVERY:
Purchase and download course content.
ASSESSMENT:
A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.
CERTIFICATION:
Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.