Listening Skills Training

Listening Loud and Clear: Communication Skills for People Who Would Rather Talk and Those Who Wish They Would Be Quiet and Listen

Program Overview

The business world is more complex than ever with demands coming from all directions. Those demands can lead to hearing rather than listening when time is limited. From motivating people to provide needed information to making sure that messages are understood, "Listening Loud and Clear" is a seminar for people who want to learn how to become better listeners and those who need others to listen better to them.

Program Objectives

At this program's conclusion, participants should be able to:

• Define why listening is important.
• Demonstrate the use of open and closed questions.
• Identify their behavioral style and its unique challenges.
• Describe a model of feedback, communication, and listening.
• Explain the importance of body language in the listening process.
• Demonstrate techniques for better listening to challenging speakers.
• Develop an action plan to improve their listening skills.

The following outline highlights some of the course's key learning points. As part of your training program, we will modify content as needed to meet your business objectives. Upon request, we will provide you with a copy of the participant materials prior to the session(s).

Course Outline

Say What?: Understanding the Importance of Listening

This training begins with a listening self-assessment and discussion of why listening is important but why it's sometimes hard to do. Through hands-on activities, participants learn the organizational and personal benefits of better listening.

The Communication Jungle: Why Some People Are Better Listeners

Unit two focuses on each participant's personal communication style. Using the Business Training Works' signature diagnostic tool, The Communication Jungle, participants will learn to identify their own behavioral styles, the styles of their coworkers and clients, and how to adjust for better communication.

Getting It: A Model for Better Listening

This segment explores a method for better understanding. Participants will learn how to focus on the speaker, empathize with what is being said, analyze the message, and respond. During the session, groups will participate in several rounds of practice listening where they will pinpoint their biggest challenges for additional focus.

Reading Body Language: Nonverbal Cues Explained

Sometimes what is said is not what is meant, something careful students of body language know. This lesson reviews the importance of nonverbal communication signals, how they affect the communication process, and how to listen more effectively by recognizing these signals.

Challenging Speakers: Listening When It's Hard

Some people are easier to listen than others. This portion of the training focuses on learning to listen better to challenging speakers: nonstop talkers, monotone speakers, boring presenters, big mouths, etc.

Better Questions, Better Answers: Skills for Eliciting Discussion

Many people can have an entire conversation without asking a single question. Unfortunately, they often miss the point, miss out on facts, or miss an opportunity to communicate that they really understand the speaker. This section focuses on how to ask open-ended and closed-ended questions and when to use each.

I Heard You. Now What?: Responding to Messages

The program concludes with a review of all concepts discussed and how to respond to messages for maximum impact. From giving constructive feedback to delegating, participants will have a final opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned by implementing skills in a variety of situational activities.

At the program's conclusion participants will understand the benefits of listening, their listening style, and techniques for improving listening skills and relationships with others.