Listening involves active consideration and interpretation, going beyond just hearing.
Journalists practice transformative listening to understand different viewpoints without expressing their own opinions.
Starting interviews with thought-provoking questions quickly engages the interviewee and elicits meaningful responses.
Deep dives
Listening is hard and evolutionarily we are not inclined to listen
Listening is difficult, not because of distractions or technology, but because humans are not naturally inclined to listen. Historically, survival relied on being loud to get attention, rather than listening.
The art of conversation and the importance of listening
Effective conversation involves the ability to truly listen and understand. Listening goes beyond just hearing; it requires active consideration and interpretation of what the other person is saying. Transformative listening, where one is open to changing their perspective based on the conversation, is a powerful form of engagement.
Journalistic techniques for effective listening
Journalists are trained to listen with attention and skill. They practice writing for the ear, creating clear and concise messages in spoken form. Journalists aim to understand different viewpoints without expressing their own opinions, allowing for open and unbiased conversations.
Importance of Asking Provocative Questions
In conducting interviews, it is crucial to start with a strong and thought-provoking question that gets to the heart of the matter. Starting with a lengthy introduction or unrelated topics wastes valuable time. Instead, interviewers should aim to quickly engage the interviewees and elicit meaningful responses by asking questions that reveal their expertise or prompt critical thinking.
The Power of Active Listening and Interaction
A successful conversation requires active listening and genuine interest in the other person's perspective. Conversational narcissism, where the conversation is consistently turned back to the self, hinders meaningful engagement. Instead, the focus should be on supporting and uplifting the other person. Good conversations are interactive, allowing for back-and-forth dialogue that fosters mutual understanding. In a world that promotes isolation and polarization, actively seeking cognitive diversity and engaging in diverse conversations is not only important for innovation but also for our overall growth and well-being.
Speaker, author and radio journalist Celeste Headlee has had decades of experience fine tuning the recipe for engaging and rewarding conversation. She shares some tips to help us instantly improve our conversational skills and meaningfully connect with others.
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