Envision Innovation: Effective Listening Workshop

Let me introduce you to Beth Racine, a relational consultant at Envision Innovation. What is a relational consultant you ask?  Well, let me tell you!  Beth and her team “help businesses, churches, schools and families learn effective ways to strengthen relationships for immediate results and a lasting effect.”  They provide workshops that address healthy communication whether it is in the context of parenting, marriage, the workplace or other relationships.  

This past weekend I attended a workshop at their office entitled, Effective Listening.  The objectives of this workshop were to, 1) Recognize listening habits that build and break down constructive communication and 2) Learn tools to be an effective listener.   

I loved the format because the participants were divided into multiple table groups.  The whole group listened to a brief training segment, then we participated in several short exercises that were discussed within our table groups and finally brought back for everyone to discuss.

Some of the areas that we addressed were to identify listening habits:

Are you a Squasher, an Encourager, a Realist, a Fixer, An Interrogator, a Defender, a Jokester, a Pacifier, a Storyteller or an Emotional Reactor?

What is the message we are sending when we respond to people in these ways?

The key to effective listening is acknowledgement; learning how to acknowledge people’s feelings takes training and a whole lot of practice.  Beth and her team introduced us to a practical tool that is wrapped up in four steps.

1)  Maintain your composure.

2)  Recognize your response.

3)  Acknowledge the person’s perspective.

4)  Mean it; be sincere.

Having this information is like a road map.  It can point you in the direction of where you want to go but the vehicle that helps you get there, becoming a great communicator comes with the help of organizations like Envision Innovations that can guide you on your journey and with lots of practical application.  

If you’re interested in learning more about Beth Racine and Envision Innovations you can go to their website at: http://www.envision-innovation.com/  email them at: info@envision-innovation.com or call 224.520.8155.  I’m sure they would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.