The Ancient Art of Listening

Listening, truly listening, and not merely being silent or politely waiting for your opportunity to speak or to correct the speaker, is among the hardest work you might ever do. But to truly listen completely so that you are not only hearing but processing what the speaker wanted you to hear and to learn, with your heart as well as with your brain takes practice. However, one must first be aware of this set of listening skills before one can begin to practice and then hopefully perfect one's ability to listen completely. 

This webinar will identify the proper environment, skills, and techniques to assist the participant in continuing to develop and improve their ability in this most important and ancient of arts.

The art of listening is not just about hearing what the speaker says in a conversation. It’s about understanding what they say and responding in a way that makes them feel heard. 

Listening, at its most basic, is how we gain clarity about issues and people's concerns. However, the advantages go beyond simply avoiding misunderstandings. Deep listening is the foundation for genuine engagement and emotional connections, as well as more rapid and meaningful outcomes from collaboration and knowledge-sharing.

If one is not first listening all other communication skills or techniques will not be as effective. Listening is the bedrock or foundation for all successful relationships. Participants seeking to improve this aspect of their communication skills will benefit from this webinar.

• How to create/maintain a “safe listening” environment for the speaker.
• How to control one's premature/judgmental responses.
• When and how to ask questions.
• How to use innocent/childlike curiosity to encourage/welcome the speaker and not discourage/bias or shut them down.
• When and when not to interrupt.
• How to listen to learn.
• Identifying and controlling your “hot buttons/pain points.”
• If listening is a gift, how to give generously.

• Gaining/maintaining the speaker's trust.
• The art of questions.
• The role of body language and other cues.
• Proper listening courtesy.
• Listening= learning
• The benefit/use of silence.
• The relationship between listening and instincts.

The Ancient Art of Listening transcends cultural and historical boundaries, offering timeless wisdom for effective communication. Rooted in mindfulness, this art encourages individuals to go beyond hearing words and truly understand the nuances of spoken and unspoken messages. In professional settings, mastering this ancient skill fosters stronger connections, trust, and collaboration. By acknowledging the significance of active listening, individuals can navigate the complexities of modern communication and build more meaningful relationships. As organizations recognize the value of genuine communication, the ancient art of listening remains a cornerstone in fostering meaningful connections and navigating the complexities of modern workplaces.