Thread by @RohanIrvine

We're back after lunch! You're about to hear a heap of 10 minutes talks, hope you're ready :D

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Sarah Stokes — the power of good listening

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We all learn how to read, write and speak but only 2% of people have received formal listening training.

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Good listening is:

A competitive advantage
Builds trust
Good listening is an act of service

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Most people do not listen with the intent to listen, they listen with the intent to respond.

It's all about you, not about the person you're listening to.

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Listening continuum:

1. Ignoring
2. Pretend listening
3. Selective listening
4. Attentive listening
5. Empathic listening

We should aspire as practicioners to be empathic listeners

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It's important to listen:

Customer research
Stakeholder interviews
Coaching
Receiving feedback
Having a spidey sense of when you should be listening

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Sarah's tips:

1. Make space

You should be listening 80% and talking 20%
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2. Start with their story

Show you heard them

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3. Silence

Be quiet when you don't know what to say next

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4. Body language

Look for clues about how the other person is feeling through how they hold their body and tones in their voice

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5. Mindset

You need to go into a conversation with a listening mindset.

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What to avoid:

Clear distractions
Reloading
Interrupting
Misguided empathy (telling your own story that takes the focus away from the other person)

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Knowledge speaks

But wisdom listens

—Jimmy Hendrix

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