What the heck is ‘Deep Listening’?
BBC Radio 5 Live conducted a powerful experiment on Deep Listening and then invited me on to their show to talk about it from a coach’s perspective.
(here’s more about the experiment here)
Can YOU sit with someone who has a completely opposing view to your own, and listen to them (without wanting to whack them across the chops)? Well for all of you out there who reckon you’re a good listener, I’m throwing down the challenge for you to become a Deep Listener.
And yes, it’s very different to everyday ‘listening’.
– You block off the time
– You find a quiet place – with no interruptions or distractions (can YOU leave your phone?)
– You put yourself in a non-judgemental frame of mind (already tough for some)
– You allow the person to talk without ANY interruptions from you (can you hold your tongue for long enough?)
– When they’ve finished talking, you ask deeper questions to understand more about WHY they believe what they do.
– You recap to check you’ve understood. And if you haven’t, ask for further clarification.
– In the end, you might not agree, but you’ve listened to their perspective, perhaps earned a bit of respect – and maybe even gained a friend.
In business, and in life, it’s easy to work with people who share your views.
But the real skill is to work well with those who don’t.
Surprise yourself. Listen. Deep.
amana
The Spotlight Coach
Straightforward, straight talking