Learning To Listen
Second Edition

Objective: To help individuals measure and improve listening skills. Target Audience: Individuals at any organizational level. Format: Instrument, 20-25 minutes to complete and score. Session Length: 1 hour 45 minutes, which includes completing and scoring

Statistics show that people remember only half of what they hear, even moments after they’ve heard it. Surprising? The fact is that although most of us like to think we’re good listeners, almost everyone needs to improve their listening skills. Learning to Listen offers a fresh approach to this common problem. The 30-item inventory focuses on both the visible and invisible aspects of listening behavior.

What separates this listening assessment from the rest? While other learning tools identify listening style, Learning to Listen measures listening skills. Focusing on concrete behaviors, not preferences, allows participants to immediately take action on their listening strengths and weaknesses.

Learning Outcomes

• Determine listening effectiveness in 3 dimensions
• Explore how both visible and invisible aspects of listening affect interaction
• Learn what it takes — physically and mentally — to listen carefully
• Create an action plan that puts new skills into immediate action

Theory

This learning instrument was developed in response to specific requests from customers for training resources on listening. While some customers said that they expected to teach listening as a stand-alone topic, most said they intended to present listening as a component of a broader skill set. Learning to Listen was specifically designed to be flexible enough to serve both applications.

In creating this instrument, a conscious decision was made to focus on listening skills rather than listening styles. It was done for many reasons. First, a skills approach is more practical. Participants are more likely to put new skills to use right away. Secondly, skills are more concrete than styles. Participants will find them easier to relate to. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, skills are more changeable than styles, so participants will have a better chance of acting on the self-knowledge they get from completing this instrument.

How it Works

The assessment presents 30 statements (see samples) about listening behavior during one-on-one conversations. Individuals choose the answer pertaining to how often they practice the behavior described in each statement, generating an Overall Listening Effectiveness Score. Subscores measure skill level in each of 3 listening dimensions: Staying Focused, Capturing the Message, and Helping the Speaker. Next, participants learn about the visible and invisible aspects of listening that comprise the 3 dimensions and get suggestions for improving personal performance. Finally, action planning questions spur individuals to apply the learning to the workplace.

Uses for Learning to Listen

Learning to Listen can be used as the centerpiece of a stand-alone workshop on listening skills, or it can be incorporated into a more comprehensive training program. It is also useful as an individual development tool. Other effective uses include:

• As a lead-in or focal point in any communication workshop or seminar
• As a foundation tool in leadership, customer service, and negotiating training
• A career development or personal enrichment tool
• As an integral part of sales training

What people say about Learning to Listen "Learning to Listen has proven to be the perfect instrument for determining the areas most needed for listening skill development. I have used it with many hundreds of corporate participants, and it effectively assists us in guiding them along the path to becoming quality listeners." Jeffrey Patnaude, President The Platnaude Group

What to Order/Product Contents

Order one Facilitator Guide per trainer and one Participant Guide per participant. You can find a complete breakdown of the contents of each by clicking on the links below.