StoryCorps is asking people participate to “interview someone you know” by recording interviews in veteran’s hospitals, senior centers, homeless shelters, and other community centers.  It’s easy – and fun!  Check out the Do-It-Yourself Kit on the website, or watch the video below:

• Increased Conflict
• Reduced Profit
• Increased Costs (See a calculation!)
• Reduced Productivity
• Delayed and Missed Deadlines
• Unnecessary Spending
• Increased Supervision Overhead
• Excessive Turnover
• Increased Stress
• Reduced Collaboration
• Decreased Client Satisfaction
• Distrust

There’s more!  What costs can you think of to miscommunication?  Are there examples of these costs you can cite in your personal or work life?

Silence can sometimes be a powerful addition – even a contribution – to a conversation.  It is normal to want to say something after the other person has stopped talking.  It shows we’re interested, that we’re engaged in the conversation.

But sometimes our urge to say something comes from being uncomfortable with a lull in the conversation.  Without really having anything to say in response to someone, we might fill a silence with a short phrase, or change the subject, or a question or comment that might change the direction of the conversation.

Sometimes, just a moment of space – a short silence from the listener – can allow a speaker to continue, clarify, or develop their thoughts.  This can be a tremendous contribution to a speaker who may not otherwise have had the “conversational room” for this thinking.

And silence does not mean we are not communicating!  With our nonverbal communication, such as eye contact, facial expressions, and gestures, we can clearly communicate we are listening, and avoid cluttering the conversation with filler that may distract the speaker from what they would naturally say next.

In Listening 101, one of the practice opportunity early on relates to getting comfortable with the silence in a conversation.  Later, we explore what can be said that might break a silence but can keep the speaker following their own train of thought.

Practice: Choose 2 conversations today and practice listening with only your nonverbal communication.  If the other person stops speaking, let the silence be!

Trained Communications Excellence Coaches work closely with an individual to evaluate current listening habits, strengthening what works well and adding knowledge and skills from Listening 101.  Bad habits are identified and replaced with effective listening and speaking skills.

Note: Coaches are Not Cheerleaders!
Coaches are teachers and trainers, committed to each individual getting honest and direct feedback on what will improve their ability to listen effectively in many situations.

Learn more here!

Listen.

The First Duty of Love is to Listen - Chinese Proverb

Relationships are about communication, and the quality of all communication is completely dependant on the level of listening that is present:  no listening, no communication.

Listening is perhaps the most important aspect of effective communication and the core way to show care for others – but we hardly ever practice and learn advanced listening skills!

Listening 101 for Relationships is a fun, engaging way to get back to – and beyond – the basics of quality listening skills.  This four-week course is offered via four 1-hour conference call classrooms, and combines practical exercises, e-journaling, and peer-to-peer role-plays to create an experience that will make a lasting impact on relationships you care about most.

Listening 101 for Relationships is for any type of relationship: significant others, parent-child, siblings, extended family, friends – or even colleagues.

Enroll today!

The August 10th, 17th, 24th, and 31st section “meets” via conference call (phone) on Mondays from 7-8pm EST.

A single seats is $100, but a two-seat package can be purchased for $150.  Sign up with a sister, a parent, a child or a friend!

Seats are limited – sign up today!

]]> http://www.listening101.com/2009/07/august-listening-101-for-relationships/feed/ 0 http://www.listening101.com/2009/06/to-listen-is-an-effort-and-just-to-hear-is-no-merit-a-duck-hears-also-igor-stravinsky/ http://www.listening101.com/2009/06/to-listen-is-an-effort-and-just-to-hear-is-no-merit-a-duck-hears-also-igor-stravinsky/#comments Fri, 05 Jun 2009 20:41:15 +0000 Kai http://www.listening101.com/?p=435 Have you ever thought the person you were speaking with heard you, but you weren’t sure they actually had listened?  This is a common occurrence and, like it or not, we are all guilty of it at some point!

The difference between hearing and listening is, of course, that listening is a much more engaged, thoughtful, and respectful exercise.  Rather than simply hearing the sounds and words, the listener identifies the meaning, emotions, and commitments of the speaker(s).

Listening 101’s month of practice allows participants to practice listening in order that they won’t be a duck, but rather a thoughtful practicing listener!

Dale Carnegie underscores this point in his 6th Principle for “Gain the Willing Cooperation of Others”:

Let The Other Person Do A Great Deal Of The Talking.
Not only will the person share information, but he or she might “talk themselves” into cooperating.

Taking Listening 101 will allow people, teams, and groups to practice speaking less and listening more – and then see the impact in their own work!

You can sign up for listening Tweets at by following @Listening101 .