Description
How You Will Benefit
Listening is the cornerstone of communication. Effective listening makes the person speaking feel valued, prevents miscommunication, speeds productivity, and creates more active forums of discussion. But listening goes beyond just hearing. From reading body language and facial expressions, to discerning emotions to accurately processing messages, listening involves a high level of observation, empathy and analysis.
Yet most of us unknowingly fail to listen. According to studies on listening, we are distracted, preoccupied or forgetful about 75% of the time we should be listening. We listen at 125-250 words per minute, but think at 1000-3000 words per minute. Immediately after we listen to someone, we only recall about 50% of what they said. This is concerning, given that over 35 business studies indicate that listening is a top skill needed for success in business.
So how can we improve our basic attention and retention? This course will help you improve your listening skills by helping you discern hidden messages, kick distracted tendencies, listen in emotional situations or groups, and increase information flow to enhance productivity. As a result you will receive messages clearly, build rapport with colleagues, avoid mistakes as a result of miscommunication, and create more positive work environment.
Course Objectives
Successful completion of this course will increase your ability to:
- Describe the importance of listening
- Identify barriers to listening well
- Implement the steps of active listening
- Uncover hidden messages
- Listen in emotional situations
- Increase information flow to enhance productivity and teamwork
Key Topics Covered
This course explores the following subjects in depth:
- Understanding the difference between effective and ineffective listeners
- How to prepare physically and mentally for listening
- How to fulfill listening steps: ready, receive, review, respond, remember
- Perfecting questioning techniques
- Uncovering hidden messages by comparing body language and words