Introduction

Effective listening and feedback are fundamental skills for fostering collaboration, building trust, and driving personal and organizational growth. Yet, many professionals struggle with active listening and providing constructive feedback, leading to misunderstandings, missed opportunities, and disengagement. This course equips participants with advanced tools and techniques to master listening and feedback in a variety of professional contexts. Participants will learn how to listen empathetically, respond thoughtfully, and deliver feedback that motivates and inspires improvement, ensuring their communication is impactful and meaningful.

Objectives

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

1. Master the principles of active and empathetic listening to enhance communication.
2. Identify and overcome barriers to effective listening.
3. Develop strategies for giving and receiving feedback in a constructive, respectful manner.
4. Tailor feedback to different personalities, communication styles, and situations.
5. Use listening and feedback to resolve conflicts and build stronger relationships.
6. Understand cultural and individual differences in listening and feedback preferences.
7. Practice self-awareness to manage emotional responses during feedback exchanges.
8. Create a culture of openness and continuous improvement within teams and organizations.

Who Should Attend?

This course is ideal for:

• Leaders and managers responsible for providing feedback to teams and individuals.
• HR professionals who facilitate performance reviews, conflict resolution, or coaching.
• Team members looking to improve their collaborative and interpersonal skills.
• Customer service professionals seeking to improve client interactions.
• Educators, trainers, and mentors aiming to foster growth and development.
• Anyone who wants to enhance their listening and feedback capabilities in personal and professional settings.

5-Day Training Course Outline

Day 1: Foundations of Listening and Feedback

• Session 1: The Importance of Listening and Feedback
  • Understanding the role of listening and feedback in effective communication.
  • Benefits for relationships, teamwork, and leadership.
  • Common challenges and misconceptions about listening and feedback.
• Session 2: The Science of Listening
  • How the brain processes auditory and non-verbal cues.
  • Active vs. passive listening: key differences and impacts.
  • Recognizing biases and assumptions that hinder listening.
• Session 3: Building a Listening Mindset
  • Practicing mindfulness and presence during conversations.
  • Techniques for improving focus and attention in high-pressure situations.
  • Self-assessment: evaluating your current listening habits and skills.

Day 2: Mastering Active and Empathetic Listening

• Session 1: Techniques for Active Listening
  • Using verbal and non-verbal cues to demonstrate attention.
  • Reflecting and paraphrasing to confirm understanding.
  • Asking open-ended and clarifying questions to deepen insights.
• Session 2: Empathetic Listening in Difficult Conversations
  • Understanding and acknowledging emotions in communication.
  • Practicing empathy without overstepping boundaries.
  • Balancing empathy with objectivity in professional settings.
• Session 3: Overcoming Listening Barriers
  • Identifying personal triggers and distractions.
  • Strategies to manage external interruptions and internal biases.
  • Building resilience to handle challenging or emotionally charged dialogues.

Day 3: Delivering Effective Feedback

• Session 1: The Art of Constructive Feedback
  • Key principles: clarity, specificity, and actionability.
  • Structuring feedback using proven frameworks (e.g., SBI, BOOST).
  • Balancing positive reinforcement with areas for improvement.
• Session 2: Feedback for Growth and Development
  • Encouraging a growth mindset through feedback.
  • Fostering ownership and accountability in recipients.
  • Aligning feedback with individual and organizational goals.
• Session 3: Tailoring Feedback to Diverse Audiences
  • Adapting feedback to different personality types and cultural backgrounds.
  • Handling feedback for remote teams and virtual interactions.
  • Practicing inclusivity and sensitivity in feedback delivery.

Day 4: Receiving and Managing Feedback

• Session 1: Cultivating a Feedback-Friendly Mindset
  • Embracing feedback as an opportunity for learning and improvement.
  • Managing defensiveness and emotional responses.
  • Self-reflection techniques for processing feedback constructively.
• Session 2: Seeking and Soliciting Feedback
  • Creating opportunities for open, honest dialogue.
  • Encouraging feedback from peers, subordinates, and supervisors.
  • Tools and methods for gathering feedback in structured and informal settings.
• Session 3: Feedback in Conflict Resolution
  • Using feedback to address misunderstandings and rebuild trust.
  • Balancing listening and feedback in emotionally charged situations.
  • Mediating conflicts through constructive dialogue and shared goals.

Day 5: Applying Listening and Feedback Skills in Real-World Scenarios

• Session 1: Real-World Practice: Role-Playing Exercises
  • Participants practice listening and feedback in simulated scenarios.
  • Scenarios include performance reviews, conflict resolution, and coaching.
  • Group feedback and coaching to refine techniques.
• Session 2: Building a Feedback Culture in Organizations
  • Creating systems and practices to support continuous feedback.
  • Encouraging psychological safety for open communication.
  • Measuring the impact of listening and feedback on team performance.
• Session 3: Personal Action Plan for Continuous Improvement
  • Participants set specific goals for enhancing listening and feedback skills.
  • Strategies for integrating new skills into daily interactions.
  • Reflection on personal growth and key takeaways from the course.