Becoming an Active Listener

When we talk about good communication skills, we usually focus on how we speak—our tone, stance, confidence, and ability to effectively convey our message. But communication is a two-way street. Just as important is our ability to listen.

Listening, as opposed to simply hearing, is active not passive. Active listening requires concentrating on what’s being said, giving our full attention to the speaker and providing visual cues that we are truly understanding. Active listening is one of the most powerful skills for building deeper, more productive connections.

In the digital age, when many of us spend more time in front of a screen than face to face with others, it’s more important than ever to understand the fine art of listening.

Gaynor Strachan Chun, renowned marketer, speaker and thought leader, will address the barriers to and benefits of active listening, and help you develop a skill that will bring more trust and respect to your business and personal relationships.

In this class, you’ll learn how to:

• Avoid being misunderstood, misconstrued and on “the ladder of inference.”
• Overcome the barriers to being an active listener.
• Use visual cues such as nodding and smiling to demonstrate listening.
• Respond to your interlocutor with eye contact and nonverbal sounds.
• Focus fully on the what’s being said and not get distracted.
• Have the right posture to convey active listening.

• Class Introduction
• Coming Together Face to Face
• The Science of Listening
• I'm Listening. But Are We Really?
• What We Can Learn From Artists
• The Power of Active Listening
• Putting it Together