Training Programs

Listening vs. Hearing – And Why Understanding The Difference Matters

Program Description

Have you ever been misunderstood?  Have you ever misunderstood someone else?  Have you ever asked a group of 10 people to do something, and 5 do it one way, 3 do it another way, and 2 do it yet another way?  What’s going on here?  You said one thing, one time.  How can we explain these situations?  In this interactive session, Chalmers shares a powerful distinction that is essential for leadership, team and relationship success:  Listening is not the same as hearing!  Here, listening is understood to be active interpretation, internal “storytelling” to ourselves, while hearing is understood to be a biological function, having to do with physics, sound waves and how our bodies are.  While many of us already understand this in a broad way, Chalmers explores in a deeper way and provides a new clarity about how to use this understanding and apply it in leadership, teamwork and organizational situations.  Different “modes” of listening are explored, as is the impact of our moods and emotions on the way we listen (interpret).  Background conversations that impact our listening are included, and participants are able to reflect and identify ways in which they may improve their ability to “be present” and actively improve their own listening.  Given the importance of conversations for organizational success, and given the role of listening in conversations, this workshop provides lasting value for leaders, teams and employees at all levels.

Value to Participants and Organizations

Participants will acquire a powerful new distinction that is essential for success in virtually every arena of their lives:  Listening (active interpretation, internal storytelling) is not the same as hearing (a biological function having to do with a little bone vibrating by an eardrum, physics and sound waves).  They will dramatically improve their ability to achieve shared understanding – alignment – in key situations, as well as their ability to build more solid professional and personal relationships.  Participants will identify background conversations that can have a negative impact on the way they listen and the ways they “orient” themselves and relate to others, and they will be more capable of purposefully “being present” with others in key conversations.  The number of conversations that have to be repeated will decrease, as clarity and shared understanding are more readily achieved the first time around.

Available in 2-hour, half-day or longer versions

Contact Chalmers