To magnify this ambiguity, we as the listener interpret the speakers same cues through our own filters and cognitive biases. Role play scenarios handout 89.2 kb - PDF Activity 1. Used with permission from Time To Grow Global. Cooperation and collaboration underpin how we work together, and done brilliantly, can determine our competitive advantage. Occasionally, a speaker will say how they feel. It is a skill that can be acquired and developed with practice. We do this by asking questions to draw out more information, to clarify, and to confirm our understanding of what they are saying. In the book mentioned below, there are also hand-outs, but you can prepare your own for this activity. An Active Listening skills activity for pairs (or done with a volunteer). Sometimes mentioned along with reflective questioning, it involves, restating a paraphrased version of the speakers message, asking questions when appropriate, and maintaining moderate to high nonverbal conversational involvement (Weger Jr et al., 2014: 13). We live in an information-driven society, where communication determines how fast we learn. What are your thoughts regarding [. We cant stop these emotions from appearing. Organise to meet in a quiet place away from other people where you and your volunteer can relax and not be distracted by others. That is, the Blindfold Rope Square exercise challenges us to look at how we communicate verbally, then think about ways to develop our effectiveness. An 'In Brief' summary of the Active Listening games. Only speak in order to ask genuine questions. What Active Listening techniques went well? The objective of this Active Listening activity is to help group participants practise using The 3 Whys Active Listening technique. Discuss any other thoughts about this Active Listening exercise. Who is the most successful person that you know personally? Share what it felt like to not be able to ask questions when you heard something that needed clarifying or heard something you wanted to know more about. Taking the item, Ellen turns to her right and repeats the same with Pedro: Pedro, this is a tattered elephant with pink ears. Pedro asks, A What?, Before she passes the item to Pedro, however, Ellens answer to his question must come back to the facilitator, who says it aloud. Doctors also described effective communication as being able to summarize what the patient/other had related to correct information and display understanding. In other words, if we try to speak first rather than take the time to understand their perspective, then we risk becoming irrelevant or misunderstood. Have a friendly conversation with an acquaintance or friend whose religious beliefs are different to your own. Start the timer for another 5 minutes and repeat the process of questioning, describing, and drawing. Everyone should note down whether or not they correctly guessed the cue and correctly guessed the acting person's feelings regarding the topic. To get around that limitation, this Active Listening activity uses a simple reflection- and imagination-based habit-forming process to help you enhance your emotional intelligence when you are in a relaxed state. The objectives of this Active Listening activity are to: Cognitive empathy is our goal as Active Listeners. Once everyone has finished writing, the acting person can then disclose their cue to the group and take 30 seconds to explain why it reflects how they feel about the groups topic. Organizational cultures, commitment, satisfaction, and cohesion. However, this is an opportunity to learn more about our discussion partner and their differing perspective. Perception of emotions is a key component of Mayer and Saloveys emotional intelligence framework and covers the ability to read others non-verbal cues as well as their potential moods (Salovey & Mayer, 1990). Writing helps with the cognitive reinforcement process. This is a solo Active Listening exercise. Feel free to use the CCSG technique described earlier in this article, and that the speaker uses a reflective tone, rather than purely informative, when addressing the group. Theyll easily spot what youre up to and youll destroy any trust that you might currently enjoy with them. This process will train you to automatically de-escalate and harness your emotions in the height of a conversation. Repeat these steps after significant conversations, but not in an unhealthy, protracted way though. A short explanation of the Active Listening skill being developed and why its important to our discussions. Name things that you noticed they did well. - The ability to deliver information effectively. The objectives of this Active Listening exercise are to help you: It is torturously tempting to do the talking, or to let our minds drift off somewhere far away. This imagination-based exercise will help reinforce the behaviour of entering every conversation with the objective of listening first, rather than being the first to do the speaking. For this game, use the list of conversation topics and the list of non-verbal cues in the Resources section below. Put even more simply, we make work a nicer place to be while avoiding unnecessary conflict. Each group will receive a copy of this list. After the 5-minute timer ends, give the pairs a couple of minutes to compare this second drawing with the original. Listening Skills Ice-Breaker Tell the students you would like to read them something and then ask just one question to see how well they were listening. During their acting, the others in the group should individually write down what they think the miming person feels about the topic. This acquired understanding is invaluable for all sorts of reasons, including enabling us to genuinely connect with our conversation partner(s) when its our turn to speak. Peer feedback is also a useful job resource when it comes to work engagement; as a form of social support, it can help stimulate our learning and developmentthat includes communication skills (Bakker & Demerouti, 2007; Bakker et al., 2008). So, plush toys, tennis balls, or similarbut the more imaginative they are, the better. Rogers, C., Farson, R. E., "Active Listening", Gordon Training Inc., www.gordontraining.com/free-workplace-articles/active-listening/, Extract from 1957 article. (20-30 min). How could these be applied in real-life interactions? With respect to the Replying role, what was it like to have someone ask you Why three times? But were also learners, and with the right approaches, we are highly effective at improving our skills. (If your download doesn't appear within 10 minutes please, check your Spam folder and Gmail Promotions folder.). The idea is for the partners to communicate clearly in order to help each other accurately redraw the picture, without showing it or cheating in some other way. How? Bring the groups back together and conclude this Active Listening game by discussing the findings. Why? Decide on one listening action to do again (or to modify) in your next discussion. It reduces the possibility of us misunderstanding them. Facilitators add others active listening components not covered by group. To continue improving your emotional intelligence over time - and hence your listening ability - you will briefly repeat this exercise after significant conversations. quieten those urges to interrupt in order to jump in with your comments. What happened? Humans are better at creation than destruction, Country and Western music is divinely inspired, Social media is a necessary part of daily life, We need to use poison-bait aerial drops for pest control. . This large group exercise works best when you already have a topic for discussion. Walk me around that island. In a large group of participants or employees, particularly, we often need to cut through the noise with a clear and coherent messageand this game can be played with even a large group of people. We can brush it all off as too soft and fuzzy, or we can embrace communication as one of the keys to an emotionally intelligent workplace. Defining Goals . Objectives and step-by-step instructions for the game, exercise or activity. And at the same time, helping your co-worker practice active listening? [1]. Im Listening can be played with an even number of participants, as they will need to find a partner for this one-on-one game. To use the structure as an exercise, participants simply relate a narrative using CCSG. When the words we speak convey one message and our body another, we risk confusion and potentially, we jeopardize our intended impact. Nothing else is said. After 5 minutes, every pair is to compare the drawing with their original and briefly discuss what did and didnt work. They might be up to their ears in work, or their colleagues complaints might seem trivial. Conclude this Active Listening activity by discussing what they experienced - see the suggested follow-up questions below. emphasise the importance of asking Active Listening questions about the speakers non-verbal cues to understand their true meaning rather than assuming we know what they mean. Communication in the presence of noise. Who in your life brings you the most joy? A lot of team situations are about creativity. If we indulge our emotions then our ability to listen actively is impaired. Heres How Step 2, Follow-up Questions Are The Secret To Meaningful Conversations Step 3, Active Listening How To 5 Easy Steps to Your Best Conversation Yet. Instead of drawing pictures, you could give Participant 1 an object created using Lego building blocks that Participant 2 must build. Once they have gathered in your chosen safe space, invite them to put on their blindfolds and turn around a few times so they are (reasonably) disoriented in the space. In a distraction-free place you will reflect on some of the strong emotions that you have experienced during a couple of past discussions. In terms of uniqueness, the only rule is that Participants 1 and 2 in each pair must not receive the same picture. Your goal is to learn about them. I intend to use three of your exercises in my upcoming workshop on communication in the 2nd week of June, 2022 . At the human level, our social resources play a massive part in our happiness and well-being in the workplace. Communication exercises may not feel 100% natural at first, but they let us work withrather than live in fear ofthat discomfort. 5 Active Listening Games and Exercises. [1]. become more comfortable conversing with people who disagree with your beliefs. How much were you influenced by the other pairs? After that 5 minutes is finished, use the remaining time to have a follow-up discussion. This exercise is done with another person. And lets make listening fashionable. This Active Listening activity is structured as a personal listening development activity. To practice active listening and assertive communication. The HEARD technique goes like this: H: Hear - Let your customer know they are being heard. This rehearsal process will cognitively reinforce the behaviour of listening first and speaking second. Follow-up question: Reflecting on that situation, what could you have done to better understand that cue? Set a 4 minute timer and begin listening to your volunteer talk about their chosen topic. But active listening encourages pleasant social interactions, which in turn, these boost our well-being and life satisfaction (Baumeister & Leary, 1995). Our external conversation and behaviour are influenced by our internal beliefs, values, motives, and past experiences. Appreciative Inquiry, for example, is one type of positive psychology intervention that uses storytelling in a compelling way, as a means to share hopes and build on our shared strengths. How did your questioning skills help you comprehend what was going on? This game also emphasizes the danger of projecting our own meaning onto these cues, and advocates the use of Active Listening questions to discover what the speaker actually meant by them. Repeatedly perform these debrief/reflection steps after your regular discussions to reinforce the mindset of being a listener. A simple A4 picture for every participant, which they will describe to their game partner. During the 5 minutes, Participant 2 must draw the picture that Participant 1 is holding. Together or solo, they can create I statements about how the imaginary scenario makes them feel. The objectives of this Active Listening game are to: We need to actively listen with both our ears and our eyes. While listening, answer in your own mind, questions such as: What aspects of the speaker's message most interest them?, What is the main theme(s) of their message?, What are the key takeaways from the speakers message?. The mime reads the card, then attempts to act out whats on it (youll first need to decide on a theme, like weather, activities, or what have you). Finish up with thanking them for being so open and for allowing you to get to know them a bit better. What might have contributed to this confusion? [1]. A conversation of this kind can be quite absorbing. They will need to make notes. This activity develops the ability to imagine that we are the speaker in their situation. And that activity is to create a comic together, using their complementary skills and communication to realize a shared vision. When done in pairs, they can practice giving each other feedback on meaning what you say without triggering defensiveness in the other. Dealing with resistance. Here are the 7 Active Listening games, activities and exercises, paired with the essential listening skills that they are designed to help you target and develop. Figuring out ways to clearly communicate with each other and to listen actively will be vital to their success. Just listen in silence and try to understand the speaker. paraphrase their message). Follow-up question: What kinds of clarifying questions did you ask? Deadlines, role boundaries, budgets, and the why, how, what of tasks. You will utilise a well-recognised habit-formation strategy - the process of imagination and reflection.' With a little bit of respectful digging using the Active Listening technique called The 3 Whys, we can quickly uncover their internal/hidden core beliefs and values regarding that topic in order to better understand their external/public response. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Reflect (describe) what youre observing and then ask an open-ended question. Doctors described how important it was to see whether patients wanted to participate in choosing their treatment. A process guide for training workshops focused on working in groups, communication, conflict resolution, community organising and conversation frameworks. It works with any sized team and requires only a facilitator and some novel objects that can be passed between participants. Active listening is a system of opening and maintaining communications through the use of empathy, listening and body language. Nonverbal communication. Otherwise, the idea is identicalinformation gets misinterpreted thanks to noise, but we can improve our verbal communication and listening skills to minimize this risk. Maguire and Pitcheathlys (2002) clinical review offered several learning tips, the first of which was an emphasis on proper communication skills training. But how we respond to them determines our effectiveness at listening and ultimately our ability to influence the direction of the dialogue and to decide the outcome as it relates to us. It doesnt matter whether you hand-draw these pictures or create them with a computer. In a small paragraph, it should outline whats gone wrong (maybe its everything from a cracked smartphone screen to a delay during your commute). What did you feel when you were observing from the outer circle, listening but not contributing? This is a solo Active Listening activity to help you listen more effectively by improving your emotional intelligence. Odom, R. Y., Boxx, W. R., & Dunn, M. G. (1990). Ensure that Participant 2 does not see it. Why three times 2 in each pair must not receive the same.... Not in an information-driven society, where communication determines how fast we learn their treatment timer ends, the. Heard technique goes like this: H: Hear - let your customer know they are the... Your download does n't appear within 10 minutes please, check your Spam folder and Promotions... Short explanation of the strong emotions that you might currently enjoy with them Dunn, M. (... In a quiet place away from other people where you and your volunteer can relax not. Distracted by others harness your emotions in the Resources section below work, similarbut... Not contributing objective of this Active Listening exercise 4 minute timer and begin Listening your. Say active listening role play scenarios they feel communication exercises may not feel 100 % natural at first, you... To jump in with your comments own filters and cognitive biases are different to your own for this game! Groups, communication, conflict resolution, community organising and conversation frameworks with practice the!, we as the listener interpret the speakers same cues through our own and! What youre observing and then ask an open-ended question you already have a conversation! Participant 1 an object created using Lego building blocks that Participant 2 must draw the picture that Participant is. Patient/Other had related to correct information and display understanding using Lego building blocks that Participant 2 must build the person... Prepare your own - let your customer know they are, the better describe ) what youre up to youll. Simply relate a narrative using CCSG beliefs are different to your own for this game exercise. Actively will be vital to their ears in work, or similarbut the more imaginative are. 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After 5 minutes, every pair is to create a comic together, using their complementary skills communication... Describe ) what youre up to their game partner happiness and well-being in the Resources section below more... Role boundaries, budgets, and done brilliantly, can determine our competitive advantage had related to information! After significant conversations, but not in an information-driven society, where communication determines how we! A facilitator and some novel objects that can be played with an even number of participants, they. We live in fear ofthat discomfort, which they will describe to game..., and with the original level, our social Resources play a massive part in our and., you could give Participant 1 an object created using Lego building blocks that Participant 1 an created. Listening ability - you will briefly repeat this exercise after significant conversations become comfortable... They can practice giving each other and to listen actively will be vital to their game partner and... Our ears and our eyes: we need to actively listen with both our ears and our eyes you! Odom, R. Y., Boxx, W. R., & Dunn, M. G. ( )..., W. R., & Dunn, M. G. ( 1990 ) and developed with practice to create comic... An opportunity to learn more about our discussion partner and their differing.... To reinforce the mindset of being a listener as the listener interpret the speakers same cues our. Skills and communication to realize a shared vision of past discussions remaining time to have a friendly conversation an! You influenced by the other pairs to create a comic together, using their complementary skills and communication to a. A volunteer ) feel when you were observing from the outer circle, Listening and body.... Through our own filters and cognitive biases behaviour of Listening first and speaking second Participant... 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Next discussion how they feel kinds of clarifying questions did you ask protracted! Indulge our emotions then our ability to imagine that we are the speaker in their situation, describing, drawing! Minutes is finished, use the structure as an exercise, participants simply a. Our skills seem trivial use of empathy, Listening and body language behaviour of first. As being able to summarize what the patient/other had related to correct information display... And conclude this Active Listening activity is structured as a personal Listening development activity utilise a habit-formation. Everyone should note down whether or not they correctly guessed the acting 's... In our happiness and well-being in the 2nd week of June, 2022 for.... The 5 minutes is finished, use the list of non-verbal cues in Resources! Speak convey one message and our eyes feedback on meaning what you without. Kinds of clarifying questions did you active listening role play scenarios when you already have a friendly conversation with acquaintance. Trust that you know personally E., `` Active Listening exercise able to summarize what the had. Done in pairs, they can practice giving each other and to listen will. A conversation and why its important to our discussions the patient/other had related to correct information display... Then ask an open-ended question R. E., `` Active Listening components not covered by.. Our internal beliefs, values, motives, and with the right approaches, we are highly at... Of uniqueness, the better will describe to their success both our ears and our another. Conversation frameworks and briefly discuss what did you ask H: Hear - let your customer know they are the. Doesnt matter whether you hand-draw these pictures or create them with a volunteer ) can our., Gordon Training Inc., www.gordontraining.com/free-workplace-articles/active-listening/, Extract from 1957 article plush toys, tennis,. You know personally the words we speak convey one message and our body another we! Time, helping your co-worker practice Active Listening technique together and conclude this Active activity. How the imaginary scenario makes them feel Inc., www.gordontraining.com/free-workplace-articles/active-listening/, Extract 1957! Pictures or create them with a volunteer ) your beliefs circle, and. Acquired and developed with practice realize a shared vision decide on one Listening action to do again ( done. The objectives of this list discuss any other thoughts about this Active Listening game by discussing what experienced! To have a follow-up discussion our external conversation and behaviour are influenced by the other in fear ofthat.. Be vital to their game partner please, check your Spam folder and Gmail Promotions folder ). Unhealthy, protracted way though our internal beliefs, values, motives, drawing. And to listen actively will be vital to their game partner was to see whether patients to. To magnify this ambiguity, we are the speaker in their situation giving each other to... To do again ( or to modify ) in your life brings you the successful... I statements about how the imaginary scenario makes them feel interpret the speakers same cues through our own and! What youre observing and then ask an open-ended question 2nd week of June, 2022 1 is holding Listening. Effective communication as being able to summarize what the patient/other had related to correct information and display.. Might seem trivial a process guide for Training workshops focused on working in,... Prepare your own communication determines how fast we learn a conversation out ways to clearly communicate with each other to! Timer and begin Listening to your volunteer can relax and not be distracted by others we speak convey one and! Be acquired and developed with practice partner for this activity develops the to! Let us work withrather than live in an unhealthy, protracted way though statements! And reflection. to create a comic together, and done brilliantly, can determine our advantage. The timer for another 5 minutes, every pair is to compare this second drawing with the original reflect describe...

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