Deep Listening

Deepa Soman
Jan 16, 2024
3 min read

Our colleague Pallavi Gadre shared a presentation on Oscar Trimboli’s book 📖 for one of Learning Monday’s sessions called 'Deep Listening'.

Deepa Soman asked us to take a listening test 📋in the following session. We got our reports; some were Lost, Dramatic, Interrupting, and Shrewd listeners. Surprisingly, all were Shrewd listeners in the Design team.

Some tidbits about listening. Image by Pallavi Gadre.

In OPS, both Smita Khadpe & I are Interrupting listeners. Then, on the subsequent Learning Monday, all team members discussed their experiences and strengths relating to their listening skills. It's fascinating & relatable experiences shared by all the members.

Then Deepa asked us to explore Deep listening strategies to discuss. We got interesting information & tips about deep listening, which we want to share with the team.

Let's get to know first about Oscar Trimboli identifies the "Four Villains of Listening" that can hinder effective communication:

The Lost Listener: Struggles with feeling vague, distracted, and easily overwhelmed in conversations, particularly in unfamiliar topics. The suggested remedy involves asking for clarification on their role in a meeting to enhance focus.
The Shrewd Listener: A problem-solving machine that tends to jump ahead and offer solutions, missing nuances, and the speaker's emotional tone. To improve, shrewd listeners should pay more attention to how something is said, not just what is said.
The Interrupting Listener: Values time and efficiency, often cutting off speakers prematurely. Speakers may feel rushed and request more patience, emphasising the importance of waiting for a complete thought before responding.
The Dramatic Listener: Connects emotionally and tends to shift the focus onto themselves, overshadowing the speaker's concerns. The remedy involves allowing speakers to express themselves fully before sharing personal experiences.

Difference Between Active Listening and Deep Listening.

Active listening involves hearing what is being said and using techniques like nodding and paraphrasing. In contrast, deep listening goes beyond focusing on what is not being said and requires progressing from active listening. Oscar Trimboli emphasises that the first step in deep listening is self-listening—being aware of your mental clutter and taking three minutes to clear your mind before engaging in a conversation. This practice enhances presence, enabling a more profound and focused connection with others.

Now look & you will find more relatable tips for Deep Listening,which we should be mindful to use in our daily routine.

Tip #1: Start with active listening.

Tip #2: Listen to understand, not to respond.

Tip #3: Listen without judgment.

Tip #4: Be present and attentive.

Tip #5: Maintain eye contact.

Tip #6: Ask follow-up questions.

Tip #7: Don't interrupt the other person.

We hope you are also getting curios to know your listening skills, so I am sharing here the link to get your report 😉

Take the listening test here: https://www.oscartrimboli.com/listeningquiz/

Further, Oscar Trimboli provides three practical tips for three minutes of preparation before conversations to enhance listening and make meetings more efficient:

Manage Electronic Notifications: Prioritize turning off or managing electronic notifications to minimise distractions during the conversation.
Drink a Glass of Water: Drinking water signals the parasympathetic nervous system to relax, promoting a more composed and focused state before entering a conversation.
Take 3 Deep Breaths: Pause and take three deep breaths before entering a meeting or video conference to signal the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing mental clutter and increasing focus.

Bonus Tip: Recharge with Music

Listen to a song matching the desired energy for the conversation to quickly rewire the mind and enhance listening capabilities.

Trimboli highlights that implementing these practices improves individual listening skills and leads to shorter, more effective meetings. The bonus tip of using music as a quick recharge is emphasised as a powerful tool for enhancing the overall listening experience.