Category: Soft Skills & Social Intelligence
Lesson 1: Introduction & Fundamentals
Objective: Understand the definition and foundational concepts of Active Listening.
Definition:
Active Listening involves fully concentrating, understanding, responding, and remembering what is being said. It’s a crucial component of effective communication, allowing listeners to engage deeply with the speaker’s message.
Content:
– Articles:
– “The psychologist Carl Rogers and the art of active listening” [read here](aeon.co/essays/the-psychologist-carl-rogers-and-the-art-of-active-listening).
– “A Guide to Conversational Etiquette” [read here](allen-faulton.medium.com/a-guide-to-conversational-etiquette-816e4febefbf).
– Videos:
– Watch “Active Listening Skills” [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wUCyjiyXdg).
Key Takeaways:
– Active Listening increases mutual understanding and builds trust.
– Key elements include paying full attention, showing you’re listening, and providing feedback.
Activity:
Reflect on a recent conversation and identify whether you were actively listening. Consider what you did well and areas for improvement.
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Lesson 2: Practical Application & Techniques
Objective: Explore practical techniques to enhance Active Listening in real-world scenarios.
Content:
– Articles:
– “The Essential Skills for Being Human” [read here](www.nytimes.com/2023/10/19/opinion/social-skills-connection.html).
– “How to Cultivate Ninja Active Listening Skills” [read here](www.becomingwhoyouare.net/how-to-cultivate-ninja-active-listening-skills/).
– Videos:
– Watch “How To Really Listen To People – Jordan Peterson” [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMTqsc1HvHY).
Key Takeaways:
– Techniques include maintaining eye contact, repeating back what you’ve heard, and asking clarifying questions.
– Avoid interrupting or planning your reply while the other person is speaking.
Activity:
Practice active listening techniques in a conversation and take notes on the effects it had on the communication process.
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Lesson 3: Advanced Insights & Mastery
Objective: Gain advanced insights for mastering Active Listening with expert-level best practices.
Content:
– Articles:
– “Talking Too Much and Not Listening” [read here](www.stevenguyenphd.net/talking-too-much-and-not-listening).
– “Shut up! Listen up!” [read here](www.truthandrestoration.com/blog/shut-up-listen-up).
– Videos:
– Watch “The science behind dramatically better conversations | Charles Duhigg” [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lg48Bi9DA54).
Key Takeaways:
– Mastery involves recognizing the non-verbal cues and emotional undertones.
– Tailor your listening style based on the context and individual differences.
Activity:
Identify an area to improve (e.g., non-verbal cues) and focus on that aspect in the next conversation. Reflect on how this enhanced your listening abilities.
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Assessment
Test Your Knowledge:
1. What is a core element of active listening?
A) Multitasking while listening
B) Fully concentrating on the speaker
C) Replying as soon as possible
D) Planning your next statement
Answer: B) Fully concentrating on the speaker
2. Which technique is NOT associated with active listening?
A) Maintaining eye contact
B) Interrupting the speaker occasionally
C) Asking clarifying questions
D) Reflecting back what was said
Answer: B) Interrupting the speaker occasionally
3. How can advanced listeners interpret emotional undertones?
A) By focusing solely on words
B) Through increased awareness of tone and body language
C) By ignoring facial expressions
D) By only listening to facts
Answer: B) Through increased awareness of tone and body language
4. Why is it important to avoid planning your response while listening?
A) It ensures you can interrupt promptly
B) It allows you to think faster
C) It promotes better understanding of the speaker’s message
D) It helps reduce conversation time
Answer: C) It promotes better understanding of the speaker’s message
