Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Apply advanced active listening techniques in professional settings
• Overcome common barriers to effective listening
• Listen for both content and emotional meaning
• Demonstrate understanding through appropriate responses
• Use listening to build trust and rapport
• Apply listening skills to problem-solving and decision-making
• Adapt listening approach to different situations and speakers
• Coach others in developing listening skills

• Managers and Team Leaders
• Coaches and Mentors
• Customer Service Professionals
• Sales and Account Management Staff
• Human Resources Professionals
• Project Managers
• Anyone Seeking to Improve Professional Relationships

• Intensive listening practice sessions
• Video analysis of listening behaviors
• Real conversation recordings and analysis
• Peer feedback on listening skills
• Listening in noise and distraction exercises
• Personal listening journal and reflection

Unit 1: The Power of Listening

• The business case for effective listening
• Different levels of listening
• Common listening misconceptions
• Personal listening style assessment

• How listening affects relationships
• Listening for leadership effectiveness
• The cost of poor listening
• Building listening as a competitive advantage

Unit 2: Overcoming Listening Barriers

• Recognizing and managing internal distractions
• Overcoming preconceptions and biases
• Managing emotional reactions while listening
• Developing listening focus and concentration

• Managing environmental distractions
• Handling technological interruptions
• Navigating cultural and language differences
• Creating optimal listening environments

Unit 3: Advanced Listening Techniques

• Listening for key information and facts
• Identifying main ideas and supporting details
• Recognizing patterns and connections
• Retaining and recalling information

• Listening for feelings and emotions
• Recognizing emotional cues and tone
• Understanding unexpressed emotions
• Responding to emotional content appropriately

Unit 4: Demonstrating Understanding

• Paraphrasing and summarizing techniques
• Asking clarifying and probing questions
• Providing appropriate feedback
• Confirming understanding accurately

• Using body language to show listening
• Maintaining appropriate eye contact
• Using facial expressions to demonstrate engagement
• Managing personal space and proximity

Unit 5: Listening in Specific Contexts

• Coaching and mentoring conversations
• Performance feedback discussions
• Conflict resolution dialogues
• Personal development conversations

• Listening in meetings and discussions
• Facilitating group understanding
• Managing multiple speakers
• Building consensus through listening

Unit 6: Listening for Problem Solving

• Listening to understand problems deeply
• Identifying root causes through listening
• Listening for unstated needs and concerns
• Gathering complete information through listening

• Listening for new ideas and opportunities
• Building on others' ideas through listening
• Listening to foster innovation
• Creating collaborative solutions through listening

Unit 7: Listening Development Plan

• Creating personal listening improvement plan
• Building listening habits into daily routines
• Measuring listening effectiveness
• Continual listening skill development

• Modeling effective listening for others
• Coaching team members in listening skills
• Creating listening-positive team cultures
• Sustaining listening excellence long-term