studio non troppo : mindful design : facilitation

Listening while speaking

It’s possible to speak in a listening way. By this, I mean there can be speaking that isn’t just broadcasting, or delivering, but speaking that includes constant adjustments in response to the listeners’ responses.

Speaking in this way acknowledges that the point isn’t to be talking, but to communicate.

Once you are sensitized to this, you might start noticing how often you don’t listen while speaking. Maybe you will hear yourself talk over another person who tried to insert something into the discussion. Or maybe you will not hear anything at all after you have spoken. I know that I notice these signs sometimes when I speak, and when I do, it encourages me to make an effort to listen better when I speak the next time.

If we allow room for the listeners to contribute, new things may arise.