The Art of Listening

May 9, 2023 

 “When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you may learn something new.”

Dalai Lama 

As you begin to build relationships, you must be an active listener.   This incorporates, hearing the words that are spoken and shared, while being attentive to the unspoken actions, the body language of the individual you coaching.  Take notice!

Show respect for your teachers by being a good listener and getting to know their perspective.  This can be accomplished in part by sharing in the conversation, asking clarifying questions, and talking equal or less.  Be aware of how much space you take up in the conversation. Be certain that the teacher has just as much talk if not more than you. 

Our coaching cycle is enhanced by listening we get more information that could be useful. The more you sit back and listen, the more you learn and recognize patterns and are better prepared to be supportive. Ask open ended questions that allow for a more thoughtful response. Don't make assumptions of what teachers need or rush to provide an answer, rather listen to the ideas and indications of the teacher. Work together to arrive with the solution together using facts. 

Being a good listener has its challenges but with intentionality we can work to improve our relationships and capacity to learn.