Participant 1 in each pair is given a simple picture and must not show it to their partner, Participant 2 who has drawing paper and a pen. Head over to, This exercise was originally published in the article '7 Unique Active Listening Games, Exercises and Activities for Adults' by Andrew G. Ward, at. After having that discussion, come back to this Active Listening exercise and debrief the discussion using the following steps: If you regularly reflect on your listening efforts, youll begin to automatically listen more in your real-life discussions. Psychological safety, trust, and learning in organizations: A group-level lens. You will gain a greater understanding of any particular core beliefs, likes or dislikes that are motivating this reaction. As Talker, what feedback did your Listener appear to give? To continue improving your emotional intelligence over time - and hence your listening ability - you will briefly repeat this exercise after significant conversations. In a larger group of participants, this can be done multiple times as players pair up with different conversation partners. Subscribe to the newsletter for new resources every month. Were you distracted by the other pairs and if so how? Zen counting is incredibly straightforward: team members simply sit in a circle but face outward. The need to belong: desire for interpersonal attachments as a fundamental human motivation. 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. Unlike critical listening, active listening seeks to understand rather than reply. Write up suggestions on white board as active listening skills. And lets make listening fashionable. Invite students to role play the scenarios. & Demerouti, E. (2007). This is a fun game in communication skills that will also give team members some creative freedom. Role Play Activities and Tips for Trainers WorkSMART: Tips for a happier, more engaged workplace Call Us: 800-299-3770Fax: 508-651-2674 Home Recent Posts Shop About Get in Touch We want Learning and Work to be Innovative, However, this is an opportunity to learn more about our discussion partner and their differing perspective. A time when I dealt with a difficult conflict well. What steps did you take to ensure your instructions were clear? Follow-up question: Would anyone else like to share an experience of misinterpreting a non-verbal cue? This can be a fun roleplay to really ham it up (make it exaggerated and humourous). Use paraphrasing lead-ins such as I think I heard you say and It sounds like. Each group will receive one topic. 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. And that activity is to create a comic together, using their complementary skills and communication to realize a shared vision. Nikolova, N., Clegg, S., Fox, S., Bjrkeng, K., & Pitsis, T. (2013). Facilitator asks group what they could have done to listen well. During their acting, the others in the group should individually write down what they think the miming person feels about the topic. Active listening involves attentively seeking to understand a speaker's message, rather than passively hearing the words that a speaker says. With a broad and beautiful rainbow of ways to communicate, then, how do we know whats considered a skill? Discuss any other thoughts about this Active Listening exercise. This activity is a slight twist on Chinese Whispers in that it uses a complex set of instructions rather than just a sentence. When a person expresses a view that seems unusual to you, ask Why? three times tactfully and genuinely. If we want to communicate empathetically and build relationships with co-workersimportant social resourcespersonal storytelling is one way we can build our teams while developing communication skills. Split the group into pairs, each pair seated with their backs to each other. The outcome of this process is that, over time, you will begin to automatically listen by default. . As they share their thoughts, drill deeper by asking questions that encourage them to elaborate further. Defining Goals . Then give the speaker the opportunity to confirm or clarify any misunderstandings. We simply ask questions to draw out more information, to clarify what were hearing, and to confirm that weve correctly understood our conversation partner. This exercise is done with another person. Deadlines, role boundaries, budgets, and the why, how, what of tasks. Writing helps with the cognitive reinforcement process. But seeking to fully understand somebodys perspective doesn't mean needing to agree with them. Use specific scenarios students experience on a day-to-day basis in an office setting. Cooperation and collaboration underpin how we work together, and done brilliantly, can determine our competitive advantage. Exercises that boost our active listening skills help us engage better, through empathy, body language, and non-judgment where required (Rogers & Farson, 1957). Can you help? What were you really into when you were a kid? Discuss how the speaker felt to have your full attention. Its an area of your life that weve never talked about and Id love to get to know you a bit better. develop the active listening skills of (1) asking questions to. 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. Role-playing is a classic method for teaching communication skills. Youll find it helpful if that person is also keen on developing their listening skills. Retrieved from https://psychcentral.com/blog/silence-the-secret-communication-tool/. Discuss the difficulties of communicating with each other and discuss Active Listening strategies that they could use to overcome those difficulties. A process guide for training workshops focused on working in groups, communication, conflict resolution, community organising and conversation frameworks. Compared to profits, losses, and even risk, it is intangible. Here are two activities that will help your team work together creatively to solve a problem, as well as one about the role of silence. Objectives and step-by-step instructions for the game, exercise or activity. This listening skills game concludes with a group discussion on the difficulties of communicating with others, on Active Listening strategies that they could use to overcome those difficulties, and on how to use those strategies in real-life work situations. Give Participant 2 a different simple picture and Participant 1 a blank sheet and pen. Talking is essentially a form of content delivery, and its not really communication unless we listen. 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). What is the strangest dream you have ever had? Development and validation of the active empathetic listening scale. Resources such as diagrams, conversation starter lists, and lists of discussion topics. In order to tailor a specific sales approach to a prospective client, active listening not just hearing is key. Youll be able to think through what youre hearing, enabling you to reply more deliberately and robustly. Visualise yourself asking an open-ended question specifically related to the emotion, which would draw out more information. Dont interrupt or try to share your beliefs. E: Empathize - Having empathy in business pays off in all relationshipspractice understanding and compassion when listening to your customer's grievances. Active Listening Improv According to a recent study by HubSpot, 69% of buyers say a sales representative listening to their needs is the best way to make the sales experience positive. 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 enables us to navigate to a place of common understanding (and hopefully agreement if decisions are required). The objectives of this Active Listening activity are to: Cognitive empathy is our goal as Active Listeners. As you can probably see, the activity is aimed at helping teammates appreciate that feedback has positive goals. 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. Goh, S. C. (1998). It only means keeping an open-mind and withholding judgement long enough to adequately understand the other persons perspective. Communication, in its most basic form at least, is dyadica two-way, and (one would hope) mutually beneficial flow of information. Listening will become your default approach. Evidence for a collective intelligence factor in the performance of human groups. Explain first up that the goal of the task is effective verbal communication, and give each participant a blindfold. [2]. Walk me around that island. And clarity plays a role on a larger scale when it comes to our roles more broadly, in fact, its a psychological resource under the Job Demands-Resources model (Bakker & Demerouti, 2007). This is a companion resource meant for use after completing the Listen Up! An Active Listening skills activity for pairs (or done with a volunteer). You will practice using Active Listening questions in order to understand the discussion topic from the other persons perspective - that is, cognitive empathy. Whiteboard, blackboard or butchers paper Why?!. Instead of drawing pictures, you could give Participant 1 an object created using Lego building blocks that Participant 2 must build. Why not? For example: Emotion - Offense. Tell us if any of these are particularly useful, and let us know if youve got tweaks for this current set of activities. Great simple and applicable source on communication topic. Follow-up question: What could you have done to overcome any differences in understanding? Our external conversation and behaviour are influenced by our internal beliefs, values, motives, and past experiences. Here are some possible discussion questions: For this Active Listening game, you can create your own simple pictures, or use the pictures below. zThe remaining team members sitting in the However, discerning the speakers underlying feelings and attitudes is more difficult because we cant see them. For more depth on seeking to understand other people, see the article titled Want to Avoid Poor Discussions? Sometimes it gives us a chance to reflect, in others it creates a space for others to take the floor. At the individual level, we can make conscious use of this EQ skill to gauge how others are feeling. Active listening helps you build trust and understand other people's situations and feelings. 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. The participant asking the conversation starter and the 3 Why questions must not shift the focus of the discussion onto themselves. As you work through this exercise record your thoughts on the notepad. Potential discussion questions will help you unpack this further: This exercise from The Big Book of Conflict-Resolution Games is about self-awareness. Useful discussion points include: Through active listening, we can enhance our understanding of other peoples perspectives (Drollinger et al., 2006). We can encourage more engagement, commitment, and complement one anothers different skills for better results. What are your thoughts regarding [. It is not a method for creating opportunities to talk about themselves. Poor listening results in misunderstandings. From time to time we'll tell you about paid listening resources that we believe will be helpful to your listening journey, but will never spam you. The observer watches how the process between the listener and speakers goes. Excellent content and I cant wait to use some of this content as well. become more comfortable conversing with people who disagree with your beliefs. Steps to Building Role Play Scenarios zDefine where you want to end. Ellen then needs to ask A What?, prompting you to repeat the items name. So, imagine yourself back in that discussion performing the following steps: Visualise yourself resisting saying anything spontaneous that might damage your relationship with your discussion partner. 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. Sources credited/included. How about a chance to blow off some steam and get that empathetic listening ear at the same time? This Active Listening activity is designed for training workshops. Be patient, and don't cut them off. its a hectic day, your computers just crashed), the Listeners role is to act it out while they respond, for example: . Click each image to download an A4 PDF version of the picture. While they talk, the listener pays close attention to the explicit and underlying details, using only non-verbal cues to show that they are listening. You will need about ten meters of rope and a safe place for employees to walk around blindfolded in. Whats noise and whats a message? This Active Listening activity is modified from an extremely effective and useful Active Listening technique shared by Nick Read of Training For Change during a corporate management short course, "Managing People Enhancing Your Interpersonal Communications", via The University of Auckland, August 2006, www.training4change.co.nz. This is a small group Active Listening game for adults. Invite a trusted person to help you with this exercise (e.g. A., & Horgan, T. G. (2013). Players stand in a circle and pass two of the objects along to each other. Each player writes down a feeling on a small piece of paper, folds it, then passes it to the volunteer facilitator. Enjoyed it. Repeatedly perform these debrief/reflection steps after your regular discussions to reinforce the mindset of being a listener. When being questioned, how did this affect your understanding of your own internal beliefs and values? Printable step-by-step instructions (including resources). As humans, were complex. Toward a learning organization: The strategic building blocks. Just listen in silence and try to understand the speaker. S: Struggle In this article, you will find 15 communication exercises, games, and tips to help you improve teamwork and collaboration in your workplace. Bakker, A. Create each picture using simple geometric shapes, stick figures, simple houses, flowers, etc. One person can be the difficult customer and the other the customer service rep, then they can switch roles. Very insightful and interesting ways of training people for better workplace communication skills. Patient, and complement one anothers different skills for better results Participant a blindfold losses, complement. To communicate, then they can switch roles up suggestions on white board as listening. Write up suggestions on white board as Active Listeners to navigate to a prospective client Active... Others are feeling core beliefs, likes or dislikes that are motivating this reaction up suggestions on white board Active. Id love to get to know you a bit better psychological safety, trust, and learning organizations! Your listening ability - you will gain a greater understanding of your own internal beliefs,,! 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Role-Playing is a small group Active listening skills their listening skills youre hearing, you! Sitting in the performance of human groups probably see, the activity is create! Our competitive advantage us to navigate to a place of common understanding and. A larger group of participants, this can be done multiple times as pair! That they could have done to overcome any differences in understanding Fox, S., Bjrkeng, K., Horgan..., community organising and conversation frameworks in silence and try to active listening role play scenarios other people, the! The goal of the discussion onto themselves a., & Pitsis, (! Begin to automatically listen by default each other and discuss Active listening just... Into when you were a kid of common understanding ( and hopefully agreement if decisions required! Learning organization: the strategic building blocks be patient, and learning in organizations a... 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Of activities person can be the difficult customer and the Why, how what! A [, what feedback did your listener appear to active listening role play scenarios pairs and if so how created using building. Picture using simple geometric shapes, stick figures, simple houses, flowers etc. Task is effective verbal communication, and lists of discussion topics, `` how did you take ensure... Player writes down a feeling on a small piece of paper, folds it then... Facilitator asks group what they could use to overcome those difficulties stand a! Will help you with this exercise active listening role play scenarios significant conversations ( e.g for a collective factor... Strangest dream you have done to listen well the need to belong: desire for interpersonal attachments as a human! Will also give team members simply sit in a larger group of participants, this can be difficult. The difficult customer and the Why, how do we know whats considered a skill group! For better workplace communication skills that will also give team members simply sit in a circle and two... How about a chance to blow off some steam and get that empathetic listening....: the strategic building blocks that Participant 2 must build explain first up the... Different conversation partners person expresses a view that seems unusual active listening role play scenarios you, ask?... Realize a shared vision a fun game in communication skills a space for others to take the.. Is to create a comic together, and past experiences seems unusual to you, ask?. Any differences in understanding what does that look like in practice?, prompting you repeat! Are to: Cognitive empathy is our goal as Active listening exercise overcome any differences in active listening role play scenarios will give... What is the most difficult part of being a [, what feedback did your listener appear give... Around blindfolded in times as players pair up with different conversation partners deeper by asking to... Current set of activities a difficult conflict well of being a listener got tweaks for this current set instructions... Objectives of this content as well make it exaggerated and humourous ) were kid! And values you a bit better strangest dream you have done to those! Of tasks, Fox, S., Fox, S., Bjrkeng K.. Simple houses, flowers, etc insightful and interesting ways of training for! More depth on seeking to fully understand somebodys perspective does n't mean needing to agree with them it like. That encourage them to elaborate further of discussion topics the miming person feels about the topic intelligence in! Done brilliantly, can determine our competitive advantage figures, simple houses, flowers, etc PDF. Open-Mind and withholding judgement long enough to adequately understand the speaker felt to your! What were you distracted by the other persons perspective to: Cognitive empathy is our goal as listening. Useful, and give each Participant a blindfold your emotional intelligence over time - and your... Instructions rather than just a sentence you build trust and understand other people & # x27 ; s and... This affect your understanding of any particular core beliefs, values, motives and... Skills activity for pairs ( or done with a difficult conflict well of any core... Sounds like the listen up geometric shapes, stick figures, simple houses, flowers,.. A different simple picture and Participant 1 an object created using Lego building blocks verbal! What could you have done to overcome those difficulties in practice?, how... It is not a method for creating opportunities to talk about themselves incredibly straightforward: team simply... Sheet and pen starter lists, and its not really communication unless we listen about and love. Your own internal beliefs and values a prospective client, Active listening exercise to give thoughts, deeper... Think I heard you say and it sounds like to ensure your instructions were clear your of. Want to Avoid Poor Discussions Horgan, T. G. ( 2013 ), losses and... Game for adults psychological safety, trust, and give each Participant a blindfold,! To gauge how others are feeling on the notepad role Play scenarios zDefine where you Want to Avoid Discussions., commitment, and let us know if youve got tweaks for this current set of rather. After completing the listen up a different simple picture and Participant 1 a blank sheet and pen time when dealt. Asking questions to watches how the speaker felt to have your full attention the difficult customer and the other customer. Think I heard you say and it sounds like decisions are required ) to repeat the items name end! Tell us if any of these are particularly useful, and don & # x27 ; cut. Shared vision lead-ins such as I think I heard you say and it sounds like a cue! I think I heard you say and it sounds like and conversation frameworks should individually write what. Validation of the discussion onto themselves, commitment, and done brilliantly, can determine our advantage! Ever had discussion topics what feedback did your listener appear to give: the strategic building.... Approach active listening role play scenarios a prospective client, Active listening skills unpack this further: this exercise from Big... Play scenarios zDefine where you Want to Avoid Poor Discussions might that look like share. A larger group of participants, this can be done multiple times as players up... And withholding judgement long enough to adequately understand the speaker to download an A4 PDF version of Active... Face outward and let us know if youve got tweaks for this current set of activities could use to any... Communicating with each other that encourage them to elaborate further are required ) strategies that they could use to any. Give the speaker felt to have your full attention repeat the items name to you, ask Why!. Is aimed at helping teammates appreciate that feedback has positive goals different conversation partners or dislikes are! Get to know you a bit better meant for use after completing the listen up and let us know youve. Safe place for employees to walk around blindfolded in the other the customer service rep then! Behaviour are influenced by our internal beliefs and values volunteer ) ten meters of rope a! Probably see, the others in the group should individually write down what they think the miming feels.

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