![]() ![]() The group takes turns adding ideas to develop and market the gadget. Capitalize on the participants’ talents by pointing out how they used attentive listening with their colleagues.Įxample: Heather presents an idea to the group for a new gadget that will solve a problem for an end-user.Note the active listeners in the group with examples of their verbal and non-verbal cues. Have the participants take turns adding ideas on how to develop, manufacture, and market this product or service.Present a fake product or service to your participants.If unsure, use open-ended questions, like Jim did, to get more information. Cues can be verbal or non-verbal messages that signal the listener to explore the situation further. ![]() These cues will help the listener decide what to ask next in order to investigate an issue in the workplace. Cues can be buried in what a client/employee says, so you must keep an open mind and pay close attention while actively listening. Interpreting cues is an important part of active listening. Jim’s failure to listen to Sarah would have negatively impacted Sarah’s productivity and motivation. Taking the time to use good listening skills with your colleagues before responding emotionally can lead to a more thorough understanding of workplace concerns and improve productivity. Jim’s communication gives us an example of being a great active listener. He then thanks Sarah for letting him know and arranges a service call for the printer. Jim then asks, “What led up to the meeting?” Sarah told him the printer wasn’t working again. He replies, “Tell me about the meeting?” Despite not starting on time, Sarah explains that it went rather well. Following the explanation, the listener demonstrates placing the event in sequence to discern why the speaker was late to the meeting, such as asking “What seemed to lead up to the meeting?”Įxample: Sarah tells her supervisor, Jim, that she was late to the meeting this morning.The other participant is to interpret the cue and encourage an explanation, such as “Tell me about the meeting.”.One person is instructed to make a simple statement, such as “I was late to the meeting today.”.Interpretation of Cues to Investigate the Real Issue Ken asks, “Are you saying that clients will be able to order products simultaneously instead of adding them one by one?”ģ. An alternative exercise would be to ask one participant to use technical jargon, which the other does not understand, and note the difference.Įxample: Carol describes an idea for simplifying clients’ ordering processes to Ken. Avoid the urge to restate things in your own words. In order for verbal communication to be effective, both parties must use the same words and avoid jargon or slang that is unfamiliar to the other party. The other participant is the better listener and reframes the idea as follows, “Are you using this idea to convey that…”.One person is instructed to present an idea to the other.Consensual Validation to Clarify the Problem Communication skills and the main points of the communication errors from the exercise are discussed in the group.Ģ. The switched example shows Bob nodding, clarifying Karen’s statements, and asking questions. Karen is looking at her phone, and Bob feels unheard. Have the participants switch roles and have the other display active listening skills that indicate each is a good listener (nodding, facial expressions and other body language, asking questions, clarifying statements).Įxample: Karen informs Bob that the billing department consistently delays invoicing clients.Have the first participant display non-verbal cues that they are NOT listening (looking at a phone, no eye contact, etc.).One person is instructed to vent to the other about a common problem in the workplace.Here are 21 active listening exercises that provide you with different ways to develop effective listening skills. Communicating effectively with employees, leaders, and clients not only requires that you give your full attention to the interaction and engage in an active process, but also that you become a catalyst. Active listening skills in the workplace extend well beyond focusing on what another individual says. ![]()
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