Effective communication is the bedrock of successful relationships, teams, and organizations, with active listening and constructive feedback being its most critical components. This course transforms how participants engage in conversations, moving from passive hearing to active understanding and from critical judgment to helpful feedback. Participants will learn evidence-based techniques to fully comprehend others' perspectives, demonstrate genuine understanding, and provide feedback that promotes growth rather than defensiveness. The course balances theoretical understanding with extensive practice, ensuring skills become natural and automatic. Through this training, you will develop the ability to create psychological safety in conversations and build stronger, more trusting relationships in all areas of life.
The Art of Active Listening and Giving Feedback
Personal Effectiveness and Self Development
October 25, 2025
Introduction
Objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Apply active listening techniques in various conversation contexts
- Demonstrate understanding through paraphrasing and summarizing
- Ask powerful questions that deepen understanding
- Provide constructive feedback using evidence-based frameworks
- Receive feedback non-defensively and extract maximum value
- Manage emotional reactions during difficult conversations
- Create psychological safety for open dialogue
- Facilitate feedback exchanges in team environments
- Build trust through attentive communication practices
Target Audience
- Managers and team leaders conducting performance conversations
- Human resources professionals facilitating difficult discussions
- Coaches and mentors supporting others' development
- Customer service professionals handling client interactions
- Sales professionals understanding client needs
- Project managers coordinating team communication
- Healthcare professionals conducting patient interviews
- Educators providing student feedback
- Anyone seeking to improve personal and professional relationships
Methodology
- Role-playing exercises for active listening practice
- Video examples of effective and ineffective communication
- Real-world feedback scenario simulations
- Peer feedback exercises with structured frameworks
- Group discussions on communication challenges
- Personal communication style assessment
- Skill application planning for specific contexts
Personal Impact
- Stronger personal and professional relationships
- Enhanced understanding of others' perspectives and needs
- Reduced conflicts and misunderstandings
- Increased influence and leadership presence
- Greater personal growth through effective feedback reception
- Improved problem-solving through better information gathering
Organizational Impact
- Improved team collaboration and coordination
- Enhanced innovation through diverse perspective integration
- Faster conflict resolution and reduced relationship friction
- Better talent development through effective feedback culture
- Higher employee engagement through feeling heard and valued
- Stronger client relationships through understanding and responsiveness
Course Outline
Foundations of Effective Communication
The Communication Process- Understanding the complete communication cycle
- Barriers to effective listening and understanding
- The role of perception and bias in communication
- Verbal and non-verbal communication elements
- Creating environments for open communication
- Building trust through communication practices
- Vulnerability and courage in conversations
- Emotional intelligence in communication
Active Listening Mastery
Core Active Listening Techniques- The three levels of listening (internal, focused, global)
- Paraphrasing and summarizing for understanding
- Non-verbal attention and body language
- Minimal encouragers and acknowledgment signals
- Listening for emotions and underlying concerns
- Cultural considerations in listening
- Listening in conflict and emotional situations
- Note-taking while maintaining engagement
Powerful Questioning Techniques
Question Types and Purposes- Open vs closed questions for different outcomes
- Probing questions for deeper understanding
- Clarifying questions to prevent assumptions
- Strategic questioning for problem-solving
- Coaching questions for development
- Diagnostic questions for problem identification
- Creative questions for innovation
- Reflective questions for insight
Giving Constructive Feedback
Feedback Frameworks and Models- Situation-Behavior-Impact (SBI) model
- BOOST (Balanced, Observed, Objective, Specific, Timely) framework
- Sandwich method strengths and limitations
- Feedforward technique for future-focused development
- Balancing positive and developmental feedback
- Specificity and evidence in feedback delivery
- Timing and environment considerations
- Checking for understanding and agreement
Receiving Feedback Effectively
Developing Feedback Receptivity- Overcoming defensive reactions and triggers
- Separating person from behavior in feedback
- Extracting value from poorly delivered feedback
- Asking for clarification and examples
- Sorting and prioritizing feedback inputs
- Developing action plans from feedback
- Following up on feedback implementation
- Seeking additional feedback on changes
Difficult Conversations and Conflict
Managing Emotional Conversations- Recognizing and managing emotional triggers
- De-escalation techniques for heated discussions
- Empathy and validation in difficult conversations
- Maintaining professionalism under pressure
- Identifying underlying interests in conflicts
- Reframing techniques for constructive dialogue
- Mediation skills for third-party facilitation
- Repairing relationships after difficult conversations
Advanced Application Contexts
Professional Context Applications- Performance management conversations
- Coaching and mentoring dialogues
- Team meeting facilitation
- Client and stakeholder consultations
- Family and relationship communication
- Social situations and networking
- Community and group interactions
- Cross-cultural communication considerations
Skill Integration and Mastery
Personal Communication Development- Creating your communication improvement plan
- Identifying personal communication patterns and blind spots
- Practice strategies for skill maintenance
- Self-assessment and continuous improvement
- Coaching others in active listening and feedback
- Creating communication-friendly team cultures
- Modeling effective communication as a leader
- Legacy of communication excellence
Ready to Learn More?
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