Leadership Strategies: Listening to Lead in Today's Workspaces from edX

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.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops active listening skills, which are core skills for strong relationships and leadership

Taught by Jennifer Wilson, who is recognized for their work in communication and leadership

Emphasizes the importance of listening in remote work, which is highly relevant in today's business landscape

Requires learners to come in with some background knowledge in communication

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Leadership Strategies: Listening to Lead in Today's Workspaces with these activities:

Refresh your foundational communication skills

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Review the basics of communication to strengthen your listening foundation.

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Review the principles of effective communication.
Practice active listening skills.
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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Find an active listening exercise.
Practice the exercise regularly.
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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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.

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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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Find a guided tutorial on listening techniques.
Follow the tutorial.
Practice the techniques you learn.

Participate in peer listening practice sessions

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Engage with peers in practice sessions to develop your listening skills and provide feedback.

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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

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Use real-life scenarios to practice and refine your listening skills.

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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

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Connect with professionals who can share their experiences and insights on effective listening.

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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

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Gain practical experience in listening and providing support to others.

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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.

Career center

Learners who complete Leadership Strategies: Listening to Lead in Today's Workspaces will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Public relations manager

In the role of Public Relations Manager, you are responsible for managing the flow of information between an organization and the public. The ability to listen and understand the concerns of different stakeholders is essential to the success of your role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public relations manager

Management Consultant

Management Consultants advise businesses on how to improve their operations and performance. Listening to the needs of the business and understanding its challenges is essential to the success of this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant

Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Managers oversee the recruitment and development of employees within an organization. Listening to the needs of the business and employees is key to the success of this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager

User Experience Designer

User Experience Designers create products and services that are easy to use and provide a positive experience for the user. Listening to the needs of the users is essential to this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience Designer

Sales Executive

In the role of Sales Executive, you'll advise clients, create proposals, and manage sales activities. Mastering attentive, responsive, empathic, and generative listening will help you close more deals and advance your clients' businesses.

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Customer Service Manager

As a Customer Service Manager, it is your role to ensure that outstanding customer service is delivered at all times. This course can help you develop the listening skills needed to solve customer problems effectively.

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Quality Assurance Analyst

In the role of Quality Assurance Analyst, you evaluate software and other products to identify and report on issues that may affect the user experience. Attentive, responsive, empathic, and generative listening are all essential skills needed to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Analyst

Data Analyst

As a Data Analyst, you gather, analyze, and interpret data to provide insights to businesses. Listening to the needs of the business and understanding the context of the data is essential to this role.

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Technical Writer

As a Technical Writer, you are responsible for creating documentation and other written materials for a product or service. Listening to subject matter experts to understand complex information is essential to the success of this role.

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Project Manager

Project managers lead teams to deliver projects on time, within budget, and, most importantly, to the satisfaction of their clients. The ability to listen to team members and stakeholders is essential for success in this role.

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Operations Manager

Operations Managers oversee the day-to-day operations of an organization. Listening to employees and understanding their needs is key to the success of this role.

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Community Outreach Manager

A Community Outreach Manager engages with members of the community to reach a shared goal. This course is relevant to those interested in a career in this field because it helps participants develop essential communication and engagement skills.

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Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers develop and execute advertising campaigns, set marketing budgets, and create strategic marketing plans. Listening to customers is key to developing effective marketing initiatives.

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Event Planner

Event Planners are responsible for planning and executing events of all sizes and scopes. Listening to clients to understand their needs and vision is essential to this role.

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Chief Diversity Officer

In the role of Chief Diversity Officer, you must cultivate a commitment to equity and inclusivity within an organization's culture. The ability to listen, as well as the cultural competence and understanding gained through this course, are key attributes of this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Diversity Officer