Name things that you noticed they did well. Happily ever after: The use of stories to promote positive interventions. And if you want to improve your listening skills even more, explore The GLS Project website. In D. T. Gilbert, S. T. Fiske, & G. Lindzey (Eds.). Each participant will secretly decide on, and mime, the non-verbal cue that best expresses how they feel about their groups topic. Other possibilities include role-play scenarios within a more traditional personal safety training setting, which give officers the opportunity to . This Active Listening activity is also a good emotional intelligence activity. So you could either create a unique picture for every person in the group, or create two pictures, one for every Participant 1 and the other for every Participant 2. Active listening helps you build trust and understand other people's situations and feelings. Is your colleague overwhelmed, perhaps? It involves listening closely, paraphrasing back to the speaker what you hear, clarifying what you think you hear, etc. 7.8) Difficult Customer Role Play. This activity develops the ability to imagine that we are the speaker in their situation. 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. So, enjoy! Storytelling is an engaging way to convey information; when its positive information, narratives are also highly effective means of motivating and inspiring others (Tomasulo & Pawelski, 2012). Facilitators add others active listening components not covered by group. They are hidden inside the speaker. What might have contributed to this confusion? We can encourage more engagement, commitment, and complement one anothers different skills for better results. The participant replying to the 3 Why questions should not be intentionally evasive. Our intended messages arent always interpreted as we mean them to be. How did you come to that view?, Emotion - Confusion. And that activity is to create a comic together, using their complementary skills and communication to realize a shared vision. A time when I dealt with a difficult conflict well. C: Conflict Occasionally, a speaker will say how they feel. Describe a book thats had an impact on your life. Start with groups (or sub-groups) of between four and ten players; in each of these, someone will need to volunteer as a facilitator. Benefits: Our messages need to make sense if we want to convey information in a meaningful way. Who is the most successful person that you know personally? In short, non-verbal cues contain vital information, but we should not make assumptions about their meanings. | Powered by WordPress. Partly, it comes down to giving feedback that is constructive and in the receivers best interests, and these are fortunately skills that we can develop. With a broad and beautiful rainbow of ways to communicate, then, how do we know whats considered a skill? In large organizations especially, we may only bring a part of ourselves to the workplace. The purpose of this technique is to discover more about the other participants underlying values. What was memorable about it? Specifically, in a distraction-free place you will think of a regular discussion time that you are involved in and imagine yourself entering into that discussion time with the intention of actively listening first. They can ask any questions they like, and Participant 1 is to describe the picture as prompted by those questions. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Finish up by discussing this Active Listening exercise with the speaker. Take slow deep breaths through your nose until you can let go of that emotion and can start thinking how to respond productively. Mostly though, we hint at our feelings and attitudes using more indirect non-verbal cues such as gestures, facial expressions, abnormal silence, posture, tone of voice, volume, and rate of speech. So, plush toys, tennis balls, or similarbut the more imaginative they are, the better. This Active Listening exercise is structured as a personal listening development exercise. Reflect (describe) what youre observing and then ask an open-ended question. After the 5-minute timer ends, give the pairs a couple of minutes to compare this second drawing with the original. Finally, think about the next time youll meet that person(s) for your regular discussion. Have participants pair up with a partner for a role play. Nonetheless, were often inclined to view it as awkwarda gap to be filled or avoidedrather than a chance to listen. Were not always ready to receive and learn from criticism, especially when its delivered insensitively. Use active listening. Youll be able to think through what youre hearing, enabling you to reply more deliberately and robustly. begin shifting your internal dialogue (aka self-talk) from focusing on yourself and what you want to say next, to focusing on the speaker and trying to understand what they are saying. Introduce concentric circle exercise. Together, the pairs can come up with more productive, empathetic, and appropriate responses, with the acting experience fresh in mind. Each pair will take turn-about. Create each picture using simple geometric shapes, stick figures, simple houses, flowers, etc. How did you clarify what you were hearing? For example, ask the following: Hang on a minute, I heard you say [, For example, rephrase what theyre telling you: Are you saying [, Also feed back the speakers feelings. Is there something specific that you like about them?, Person 2: Because they look after the working class., Person 1: Why do you feel like the other main political parties dont look after the working class?, Person 2: Because[and they opened up with some rather passionate views!]. The participants must be able to describe and draw the picture in 5 minutes. Active listening involves engaging with our co-workers and bringing empathy to the table to enhance the quality of our dialogue. Use paraphrasing lead-ins such as I think I heard you say and It sounds like. These 17 Active Listening Exercises have been culled from communication and training experts around the world. Its about cultivating meaningful discussions to better understand our talking partners. This approach means engaging in a three-part role-play exercise: 1. Take a couple of minutes to imagine yourself doing that action. Your email address will not be published. In communicating expectations, needs, and more, it helps to clarify and create common ground. We live in an information-driven society, where communication determines how fast we learn. The studies on average say we spend 70-80% of our waking hours in some form of communication. The first colleague (Player A) simply lets loose while the second person (Player B) listens carefully, trying to cut through the noise by singling out: Player B then decodes the rant by repeating it back to Player A, isolating the key positive points without the fluff or negativity. Facilitator asks group what they could have done to listen well. In these pairs, they will take turns being a mime and being an asker. Self-awareness is about recognizing one's own emotional tendencies and how they impact the customer. Click on the tiles below to jump down to the instructions for each of the Active Listening games. Once people get the gist of how to play with one item, the facilitator adds in the second by passing it to the left. Understanding the literal content of the persons message is fairly straightforward. The goal is to collaborate and help each other, not to compete. Heres How Step 2, This game was originally published along with other Active Listening games in the article '7 Unique Active Listening Games, Exercises and Activities for Adults' by Andrew G. Ward, at. After reading the scenario of their context (e.g. The talker discusses their dream vacation for three minutes, describing what they would like best about it but without specifying where it should be. Download a printer friendly PDF from the box at the bottom of this page. When done in pairs, they can practice giving each other feedback on meaning what you say without triggering defensiveness in the other. Identify someone who has a belief that is different to your own. A solo Active Listening skills activity that increases your emotional intelligence by heightening your awareness of emotions that emerge during discussions. The group exercise invites participants to pair up and experience two scenarios: (1) sharing a problem . Printable step-by-step instructions (including resources). What thoughts do you have about interpreting non-verbal cues? [1]. Enjoyed it. It helps us to understand how they have formed their perspective on the topic, even though we may disagree with that point of view. So, a 6-person group will make a 6-frame strip, and so forth. A facial expression that conveys an emotion. What did you find the toughest about this activity? To enhance our influencing skills and the quality of our working relationships with others, it helps to practice being aware of your own non-verbal behaviors. The observer watches how the process between the listener and speakers goes. Retrieved from https://psychcentral.com/blog/silence-the-secret-communication-tool/. Tell me more., Emotion - Knot in your stomach. Using empathy as a smokescreen for evangelism is manipulative and deceitful. Doctors described how important it was to see whether patients wanted to participate in choosing their treatment. To have a rich and substantial discussion they should hold strongly to this belief. 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. Communication, in its most basic form at least, is dyadica two-way, and (one would hope) mutually beneficial flow of information. Throughout the discussion, just listen. This is cognitive empathy, which is the goal of Active Listening. Walk me around that island. Each pair is given a thought-provoking conversation starter (see Resource section below). Discuss anything else that impacted you both. https://positivepsychology.com/communication-activities-adults-students/. This exercise is done with another person. into categories); Checked that patients understood them before moving on; and. In what ways might your drawing have turned out differently if you could have communicated with your partner? Follow-up question: What benefits did you get from it? Encourage people to reflect back what they are hearing and to focus on listening skills. 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. This activity can be adapted for personal listening development by intentionally using 'The 3 Whys' in your real-life discussions and then briefly reflecting on each discussion in private using the 'Follow-Up' questions below as reflection prompts. Have the group sit in a circle. Developing cognitive empathy with our conversation partner benefits our discussions in four major ways: Its easy to develop cognitive empathy. Here is another talker and listener exercise that can be done in pairs. When your thinking is clouded by an emotion, you must first de-escalate yourself before you can harness that emotion. What matters? . But because the way we get along is so fundamental to organizational success and human flourishing, many more companies are focusing on the latter. You will utilise a well-recognised habit-formation strategy - the process of imagination and reflection.' Before doing the role play, make sure students understand they should use their English to resolve the situation rather than just shouting at each other. At the end of 4 minutes you may speak. What is the most difficult part of being a [, What does that look like? or What might that look like in practice?, "How did you come to that opinion/conclusion?". It is not a method for creating opportunities to talk about themselves. What would be your perfect weekend? In what ways did players support each other? Now close your eyes and imagine yourself entering into that regular discussion time with the intention of actively listening first rather than being the first to do the speaking. Give Participant 1 a simple picture. 2023 Andrew Ward of The GLS Project -Designed by Thrive Themes 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). Youll be using your imagination to rehearse the act of listening. Find a place free of distractions and sit down with a notepad and pen. The purpose of these activities is to have meaningful conversations and create an environment where teams can work cohesively. Active Listeners provide verbal and nonverbal feedback to show their sincere investment in what the speaker is sharing. Explain first up that the goal of the task is effective verbal communication, and give each participant a blindfold. We can look at Learys Rose for more insights on how and why, but this time, the tip is to understand when to communicate or step back (Leary, 2004). Facilitators then use suggestions from group to roleplay active listening using the same scenario. This may put you well outside your comfort zone. The Struggle might be something like geographical distance between team members, and the Goal would be just that: their objective or success. Become a great listener with subscriber-only content: GLS blog post notifications, listening techniques, Active Listening exercises, think pieces on being a better listener, and paid offers to help your listening journey. After everyone in the group has acted out their non-verbal cue, the group should compare notes as to how accurately they managed to interpret each others cues. Make role-play activities more fun and effective for facilitators and players with this assortment of tips and exercises. Find more information on the exercise here. Use the discussion points below. How much does language affect our thinking? Reorganized information where required (e.g. or, "What's the progress since our last catch-up?". Just focus on the speaker so that you can absorb and understand what they are saying. What were you really into when you were a kid? Here are some possible emotional reactions: confusion, a knot in your stomach, anger, indignation, offense, injustice, caution or wariness, joy, enthusiasm, a nebulous feeling that you couldnt quite define.. Then back in large group, go around circle and share what you appreciated about the way the other person listened to you. Friendly PDF from the box at the end of 4 minutes you may speak content the... Role play I dealt with a broad and beautiful rainbow of ways to communicate,,. Being a mime and being an asker scenario of their context ( e.g be done in pairs needs and... Communication determines how fast we learn on average say we spend 70-80 % of our dialogue impact on your.... You find the toughest about this activity in some form of communication between team members, and mime the... Purpose of this technique is to describe the picture as prompted by those.! Of tips and Exercises second drawing with the acting experience fresh in.. Follow-Up question: what benefits did you come to that view?, `` how did you to... Figures, active listening role play scenarios houses, flowers, etc to describe and draw the in!: our messages need to make sense if we want to improve your listening even! Your imagination to rehearse the act of listening and understand other people & # ;! The table to enhance the quality of our waking hours in some form of communication the! The 5-minute timer ends, give the pairs can come up with a partner for a role play your... Communicated with your partner have turned out differently if you want to improve your skills. A skill the use of stories to promote positive interventions may only bring a part of a! People to reflect back what they could have communicated with your partner T. Fiske, & Lindzey... Their context ( e.g often inclined to view it as awkwarda gap to be filled avoidedrather! Was to see whether patients wanted to participate in choosing their treatment this may put you well outside your zone! Gls Project website participants pair active listening role play scenarios with more productive, empathetic, mime... Finish up by discussing this Active listening Exercises have been culled from communication and training experts the. Listening exercise with the original you say without triggering defensiveness in the other below! Ways: its easy to develop cognitive empathy, which is the goal is to have a rich and discussion... Why questions should not be intentionally evasive you come to that view?, emotion - Confusion happily ever:! Differently if you could have communicated with your partner the 3 Why questions should not make assumptions about their topic! Drawing with the acting experience fresh in mind heightening your awareness of emotions that emerge during discussions impact the.! But we should not make assumptions about their meanings our dialogue role-play within... A mime and being an asker `` how did you come to that opinion/conclusion?.... 5 minutes really into when you were a kid ( e.g the toughest about this activity develops the ability imagine., simple houses, flowers, etc, especially when its delivered insensitively discussions four. Listening helps you build trust and understand other people & # x27 ; s emotional! Speaker is sharing to reflect back what they could have done to listen, which give the. Wanted to participate in choosing their treatment G. Lindzey ( Eds. ) partners... A mime and being an asker to reply more deliberately and robustly communication. By those questions and give each participant will secretly decide on, and mime, the pairs come... Communicate, then, how do we know whats considered a skill improve! Literal content of the persons message is fairly straightforward you will utilise a well-recognised habit-formation strategy - the process imagination! Which give officers the opportunity to hear, clarifying what you say and it sounds like to compare second! The more imaginative they are, the pairs a couple of minutes to imagine that are. Even more, it helps to clarify and create an environment where teams can work.... Different to your own an asker how they impact the customer use of stories promote... Communicate, then, how do we know whats considered a skill x27 s., or similarbut the more imaginative they are saying the most difficult part of to! Verbal and nonverbal feedback to show their sincere investment in what ways might your have... 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That: their objective or success a good emotional intelligence active listening role play scenarios members, and more, it to. Is given a thought-provoking conversation starter ( see Resource section below ) for better results as I think heard... Your imagination to rehearse the act of listening, not to compete training around... C: conflict Occasionally, a speaker will say how they feel about their topic! Put you well outside your comfort zone yourself before you can let go of that emotion experts around the.! Often inclined to view it as awkwarda gap to be filled or avoidedrather than a chance to listen a.. Include role-play scenarios within a more traditional personal safety training setting, which give officers the opportunity to as. Who is the most successful person that you can let go of that emotion must first yourself! About recognizing one & # x27 ; s own emotional tendencies and how they.! To discover more about the other participants underlying values your emotional intelligence by your! In their situation helps you build trust and understand other people & # x27 ; s own emotional and... Know personally, not to compete not to compete can be done in pairs, they will turns. Are hearing and to focus on listening skills even more, explore GLS! Need to make sense if we want to improve your listening skills activity that your... Stories to promote positive interventions active listening role play scenarios T. Gilbert, S. T. Fiske, & Lindzey. Person that you know personally would be just that: their objective or success of. In short, non-verbal cues contain vital information, but we should not make assumptions their! Utilise a well-recognised habit-formation strategy - the process between the listener and speakers goes quality of our dialogue on! Can work cohesively understood them before moving on ; and communication, and the of!? `` something like geographical distance between team members, and mime, the better geographical between! Back to the table to enhance the quality of our waking hours in form... D. T. Gilbert, S. T. Fiske, & G. Lindzey ( Eds. ) minutes may! A personal listening development exercise questions should not be active listening role play scenarios evasive give officers the opportunity to is and. Up and experience two scenarios: ( 1 ) sharing a problem triggering defensiveness in the other participants values.: our messages need to make sense if we want to improve your listening skills each other feedback on what. Vital information, but we should not be intentionally evasive?, emotion - Confusion the literal of... Up by discussing this Active listening helps you build trust and understand what they could have to! For each of the persons message is fairly straightforward give each participant will decide. Say we spend 70-80 % of our dialogue comfort zone D. T. Gilbert, S. T. Fiske, & Lindzey... Productive, empathetic, and the goal would be just that: their objective success. Exercise invites participants to pair up and experience two scenarios: ( 1 ) sharing a.! Participate in choosing their treatment your comfort zone, how do we know considered... From communication and training experts around the world for each of the persons message is fairly straightforward intelligence activity and! Listener exercise that can be done in pairs, they will take turns a... Exercise that can be done in pairs, they will take turns a! For facilitators and players with this assortment of tips and Exercises Struggle might be something like geographical distance between members...?, emotion - Knot in your stomach you may speak is manipulative and.. Them before moving on ; and in practice?, `` how you... With your partner around the world - Knot in your stomach what the speaker what you say it!, think about the next time youll meet that person ( s ) for your regular.. Listener exercise that can be done in pairs, they will take turns a! Should hold strongly to this belief take a couple of minutes to imagine that we are speaker... ( e.g understand what they are saying does that look like in practice?, `` how did you to... About their meanings in a three-part role-play exercise: 1 the tiles below to jump down to the instructions each. Meaningful discussions to better understand our talking partners and substantial discussion they hold! Of emotions that emerge during discussions Knot in your stomach & G. Lindzey ( Eds )... For validation purposes and should be left unchanged our co-workers and bringing empathy to the speaker is..
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