Have you ever felt like you’re speaking, but nobody is truly listening? This month on Do Good to Lead Well, I bring you the secrets to amplifying your listening skills, inspired by the wisdom shared in the bestselling book, ‘Crucial Conversations’ by Kerry Patterson and their colleagues. As we wave goodbye to March and gear up to tackle the rest of the year, there’s no better skill to polish than the art of active listening. In this episode, we unpack the AMPP model (yes, that is not a spelling mistake), and how it can transform the way you connect with others, solve problems, and foster positive team dynamics.

In our lives, both personal and professional, the simple yet profound act of listening holds the key to unlocking vast pools of knowledge. I’ll guide you through crafting open-ended questions that invite expansive and enlightening dialogue, steering clear of those that lead to dead-end ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers.

You’ll also discover the power of mirroring, a simple yet profound technique that reflects understanding and empathy. You have likely seen it work wonders with infants, and I’ll show you how it can have the same impact on adults in any setting. No guests this time around, just you and me exploring the profound impact of deep listening and how it can lead to more meaningful interactions and outcomes. These strategies are not just theoretical—they’re backed by compelling research and real-world application, ready for you to apply in your daily interactions. Join me on this journey to elevate not only how you listen but how you can make the people you care about feel heard.

What You’ll Learn

- Why active listening is so important and why so few of us do it effectively.

- The art of strategic questioning and how it deepens relationships and accesses new insights.

- How to employ mirroring to build rapport and show understanding.

- How paraphrasing is the ultimate fail-safe tool to demonstrate active listening.

- How to prime conversations for constructive outcomes, even in conflict

Podcast Timestamps

(0:00) - Introduction to the Episode

(2:30) - The Importance of Active Listening and an Overview of the AMPP Model

(5:12) – The Power of Asking Open-Ended Questions

(8:57) - Mirroring in Conversations

(14:29) - The Art of Paraphrasing

(19:45) - Priming the Conversation

(21:55) - Conclusion

Key Topics Discussed

Active Listening, Engaging Conversation, Meaningful Connection, Communication, Open-ended Questions, Mirroring, Ask Questions, Managing Relationships, Curiosity, Rapport, Empathy, Emotional Intelligence

More of Do Good to Lead Well:

Website: https://craigdowden.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigdowden/