We, all of us, LONG to BE LISTENED TO. We, like our kids, have a huge need for someone to sit and give us their undivided attention. When we get it, which isn’t often, we relax and so do things around us. We feel sort of complete and better about things. We feel heard, and we feel part of everything again. The knock-on effect is phenomenal (engagement, ownership, creativity etc. etc. they all go up – I’m just touching the surface here.) Listening differently can really change everything, it really is your untapped superpower.
Turns out we’re not listened to much because most of us are not practiced at it (although we are convinced we are!) We are all too busy trying to get a word (or a thought) in, so there is little space for anything else.
Listening differently also happens to be an intense job, but, like everything, you get better the more you practice and then things around you actually start to change and resolve THEMSELVES instead of you trying to work it all out and make things change.
What I’m talking about here, I believe, is a sort of superpower that we all to benefit from evolving, big time!
For those of you who need it, there is massive amounts of data available on this. Connect with Listening Alchemy for a closer look. I’m just telling you what I know from my work in listening differently to others for the last 14 years. It is quite extraordinary.
Since I’m just touching the surface here, I will end with some tips and clues as to how you might like to play with this. I’ve picked them up along the way as I listen, sense, draw and then facilitate the big picture.
Check out the text below from Card Number 1 in our new organisational change tool – BE THE CHANGE CARDS – it may spark something in you, a sort of journey into listening differently from a more creative place if that’s your thing.
THE QUIETER YOU BECOME, THE MORE YOU CAN HEAR.
THERE IS A SEA OF SOUND IN AND AROUND ME.
I CAN LISTEN OUT PAST THE NOISE AND INTO A MUCH BIGGER SPACE.
I CAN LISTEN IN, PAST THE JUDGEMENTS AND HEAR MY BODY AND MY THOUGHTS.
I CAN LISTEN TO THE SILENCE AND INTO THE SPACE.
I CAN LISTEN TO THIS INTRICATE, LAYERED TAPESTRY OF SOUND AND THEN I SEE THINGS I HAD NEVER NOTICED BEFORE AND THE RICH POSSIBILITIES THEY HOLD FOR SOME NEW UNDERSTANDING.
THERE ARE SO MANY LEVELS OF LISTENING.
ON WHAT LEVEL DO YOU MOSTLY LISTEN?
DO YOU EVER LISTEN DEEPER DOWN OR BETWEEN THE LINES OR EVEN WAY OUT BEYOND IT ALL?
WHAT WANTS TO BE LISTENED TO RIGHT NOW?
WHAT DO YOU STAND TO GAIN FROM HOLDING A SPACE FOR LISTENING DEEPER, HIGHER, BROADER?
WHAT IS THE ESSENCE OF WHAT YOU HEAR?
Crafting Connection holds and space for you to bring out your brilliance. We draw it, play with it, and facilitate into your human potential.