Did you know that most people believe they’re better listeners than other people think they are? Research proves this as well as the fact that outstanding leaders have exceptional listening skills. If you want to stand out as someone with leadership potential or be the first person who comes to mind for high-profile assignments, one of the best things you can do is develop your basic and advanced listening skills.
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Did you know that most people believe they’re better listeners than other people think they are? Research proves this as well as the fact that outstanding leaders have exceptional listening skills. If you want to stand out as someone with leadership potential or be the first person who comes to mind for high-profile assignments, one of the best things you can do is develop your basic and advanced listening skills.
Did you know that most people believe they’re better listeners than other people think they are? Research proves this as well as the fact that outstanding leaders have exceptional listening skills. If you want to stand out as someone with leadership potential or be the first person who comes to mind for high-profile assignments, one of the best things you can do is develop your basic and advanced listening skills.
In this experiential course, we'll explore why listening matters, what gets in the way of effective listening and how to skillfully engage in the four levels of listening: attentive, responsive, empathic and generative. You'll also learn how to adapt your listening in virtual workspaces. In each module, you’ll learn from top researchers, leaders and coaches through articles and videos, and complete knowledge self-checks along the way. The practice assignments are designed to help you put knowledge into practice through real-life scenarios, and you will participate in online discussions to reflect on what you’re learning.
Organizations need people who know how to listen in ways that promote strong relationships, advance innovation and solve complex problems, often while working on remote teams. This course provides you with the knowledge, skills and practice opportunities to take your skills from good to great. And, you might be surprised to find that all of your relationships, both personal and professional, are transformed through the power of listening.
Are you ready to level up?
What's inside
Learning objectives
- Describe why developing basic and advanced listening skills is beneficial and worth the effort.
- Evaluate the characteristics of and be able to demonstrate the skills associated with the four levels of listening.
- Analyze strategies for adapting listening skills to remote/virtual work.
- Recognize that the listening skills taught in this course reflect particular cultural norms and may need to be adapted in other cultural contexts.
- Describe why developing basic and advanced listening skills is beneficial and worth the effort.
- Evaluate the characteristics of and be able to demonstrate the skills associated with the four levels of listening.
- Analyze strategies for adapting listening skills to remote/virtual work.
- Recognize that the listening skills taught in this course reflect particular cultural norms and may need to be adapted in other cultural contexts.
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Activities
Refresh your foundational communication skills
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Review the basics of communication to strengthen your listening foundation.
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Communication Skills
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Review the principles of effective communication.
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Practice active listening skills.
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Seek feedback on your communication skills.
Practice active listening exercises
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Engage in exercises designed to improve your ability to listen attentively and respond appropriately.
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Active Listening
Show steps
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Find an active listening exercise.
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Practice the exercise regularly.
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Reflect on your progress and make adjustments.
Create a mindfulness meditation practice
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Develop a mindfulness practice to improve your ability to focus and listen attentively.
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Mindfulness
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Find a quiet place to sit or lie down.
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Close your eyes and focus on your breath.
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Notice your thoughts and feelings without judgment.
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Return your focus to your breath when your mind wanders.
Five other activities
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Follow guided tutorials on listening techniques
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Seek out expert guidance to refine your listening skills and techniques.
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Listening Skills
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Find a guided tutorial on listening techniques.
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Follow the tutorial.
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Practice the techniques you learn.
Participate in peer listening practice sessions
Show steps
Engage with peers in practice sessions to develop your listening skills and provide feedback.
Show steps
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Find a peer who is also interested in improving their listening skills.
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Schedule regular listening practice sessions.
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Take turns being the listener and the speaker.
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Provide each other with feedback on your listening skills.
Start a project: Listening skills practice
Show steps
Use real-life scenarios to practice and refine your listening skills.
Browse courses on
Listening Skills
Show steps
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Identify a challenging listening scenario.
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Develop a plan to practice your listening skills in that scenario.
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Practice your listening skills in the scenario.
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Reflect on your listening skills practice and make adjustments.
Attend a networking event focused on listening
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Connect with professionals who can share their experiences and insights on effective listening.
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Networking
Show steps
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Find a networking event focused on listening.
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Attend the event.
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Meet new people and ask them about their experiences with listening.
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Share your own experiences and insights on listening.
Volunteer at a local organization that provides listening services
Show steps
Gain practical experience in listening and providing support to others.
Browse courses on
Listening
Show steps
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Find a local organization that provides listening services.
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Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
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Attend a volunteer training program.
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Provide listening services to those in need.
Refresh your foundational communication skills
Show steps
Review the basics of communication to strengthen your listening foundation.
Browse courses on
Communication Skills
Show steps
- Review the principles of effective communication.
- Practice active listening skills.
- Seek feedback on your communication skills.
Practice active listening exercises
Show steps
Engage in exercises designed to improve your ability to listen attentively and respond appropriately.
Browse courses on
Active Listening
Show steps
- Find an active listening exercise.
- Practice the exercise regularly.
- Reflect on your progress and make adjustments.
Create a mindfulness meditation practice
Show steps
Develop a mindfulness practice to improve your ability to focus and listen attentively.
Browse courses on
Mindfulness
Show steps
- Find a quiet place to sit or lie down.
- Close your eyes and focus on your breath.
- Notice your thoughts and feelings without judgment.
- Return your focus to your breath when your mind wanders.
Follow guided tutorials on listening techniques
Show steps
Seek out expert guidance to refine your listening skills and techniques.
Browse courses on
Listening Skills
Show steps
- Find a guided tutorial on listening techniques.
- Follow the tutorial.
- Practice the techniques you learn.
Participate in peer listening practice sessions
Show steps
Engage with peers in practice sessions to develop your listening skills and provide feedback.
Show steps
- Find a peer who is also interested in improving their listening skills.
- Schedule regular listening practice sessions.
- Take turns being the listener and the speaker.
- Provide each other with feedback on your listening skills.
Start a project: Listening skills practice
Show steps
Use real-life scenarios to practice and refine your listening skills.
Browse courses on
Listening Skills
Show steps
- Identify a challenging listening scenario.
- Develop a plan to practice your listening skills in that scenario.
- Practice your listening skills in the scenario.
- Reflect on your listening skills practice and make adjustments.
Attend a networking event focused on listening
Show steps
Connect with professionals who can share their experiences and insights on effective listening.
Browse courses on
Networking
Show steps
- Find a networking event focused on listening.
- Attend the event.
- Meet new people and ask them about their experiences with listening.
- Share your own experiences and insights on listening.
Volunteer at a local organization that provides listening services
Show steps
Gain practical experience in listening and providing support to others.
Browse courses on
Listening
Show steps
- Find a local organization that provides listening services.
- Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
- Attend a volunteer training program.
- Provide listening services to those in need.
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