Introduction:

In today’s fast-paced work environment, active listening and effective feedback are essential for meaningful communication, collaboration, and productivity. Listening actively helps professionals truly understand others, while constructive feedback encourages growth and improvement. This course is designed to provide participants with tools and techniques to enhance their listening skills, offer feedback that builds trust, and create an open and supportive communication culture. Through interactive exercises, role-play, and real-world examples, participants will become adept at using these skills in both personal and professional interactions.

Course Objectives:

By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

1. Master the Principles of Active Listening: Engage with others empathetically and attentively to foster understanding.
2. Recognize and Overcome Listening Barriers: Identify obstacles to active listening and strategies to address them.
3. Develop Effective Feedback Skills: Provide constructive, actionable feedback that is both motivating and informative.
4. Create a Feedback-Friendly Environment: Encourage open, respectful dialogue within teams and with peers.
5. Apply Active Listening and Feedback Mechanisms in Virtual and In-Person Settings: Adapt strategies for different communication channels and contexts.

Who Should Attend?

This course is ideal for:

• Leaders and Managers who want to enhance team communication, trust, and performance.
• HR and Talent Development Professionals who handle coaching, performance reviews, and team dynamics.
• Customer Service and Sales Professionals who interact frequently with clients and need to listen and respond effectively.
• Anyone interested in improving their communication skills and building stronger relationships through better listening and feedback.

5-Day Course Outline

Day 1: Foundations of Active Listening

• Morning: Introduction to Active Listening
  • What is active listening and why it’s essential in the workplace.
  • The difference between hearing and truly listening.
• Afternoon: Elements of Active Listening
  • Core components of active listening: focus, empathy, and acknowledgment.
  • Practicing techniques like paraphrasing, reflecting, and asking clarifying questions.
• Interactive Activity: “Listening Self-Assessment” – Participants assess their current listening habits and set personal goals for improvement.

Day 2: Overcoming Barriers to Active Listening

• Morning: Identifying Common Listening Barriers
  • Understanding personal biases, distractions, and assumptions that hinder listening.
  • The role of stress, multitasking, and digital distractions in communication.
• Afternoon: Techniques to Improve Focus and Presence
  • Strategies to stay present, manage attention, and eliminate distractions.
  • Practicing mindfulness techniques to enhance listening skills.
• Interactive Activity: “Focused Listening Exercises” – Participants engage in exercises to practice overcoming listening barriers and maintaining presence.

Day 3: Giving and Receiving Effective Feedback

• Morning: Principles of Constructive Feedback
  • Key characteristics of effective feedback: specific, actionable, and supportive.
  • The feedback sandwich and other constructive frameworks.
• Afternoon: Receiving Feedback Gracefully
  • How to accept feedback with an open mind and without defensiveness.
  • Techniques for asking clarifying questions to fully understand feedback.
• Interactive Activity: “Feedback Practice” – Participants practice giving and receiving feedback using real-world scenarios, receiving guidance on improvement.

Day 4: Creating a Culture of Open Feedback

• Morning: Building Trust for Effective Feedback
  • Creating a safe environment where feedback is encouraged and respected.
  • The role of emotional intelligence in feedback and communication.
• Afternoon: Encouraging Feedback within Teams
  • Techniques for promoting a feedback-friendly culture.
  • Implementing regular feedback mechanisms like one-on-one meetings and feedback loops.
• Interactive Activity: “Team Feedback Workshop” – Participants work in groups to develop strategies for fostering a feedback culture within their teams or organizations.

Day 5: Applying Listening and Feedback Skills in Virtual and In-Person Settings

• Morning: Adapting Active Listening for Virtual Communication
  • Challenges of listening in digital environments and how to overcome them.
  • Techniques for active listening during virtual meetings and video calls.
• Afternoon: Crafting an Action Plan for Continuous Improvement
  • Setting individual goals for applying active listening and feedback skills.
  • Reviewing techniques and creating a personal roadmap for ongoing practice.
• Interactive Activity: “Case Study Analysis and Action Plan” – Participants work on case studies to apply skills in different contexts and create a personalized action plan for continuous improvement.