If you want to have “beautiful” Professional Learning Communities or Professional Networked Learning Collaboratives, members need to know how to listen to each other.
Part of my ongoing series on "Beautiful" Professional Learning Communities based on Edward de Bono's book "How To Have A Beautiful Mind" here are 12 Points to help PLCs listen to each other.
1. The ability to listen and the enjoyment of listening is a key part of developing a beautiful mind.
Good listeners demonstrate that they are paying attention to other speakers. Good listeners respect the other speakers. Good listeners demonstrate that they are genuinely interested in what the other speakers are saying. Good listeners understand that when they listen, students end up benefiting in the end.
2. A good listener pays attention and seeks to get the maximum value from what is being said. There are two focuses for attention: the point the speaker is trying to make; and the separate value of what is being said (in its own right).
Talking allows you to share what you know, but it seldom allows you to gain anything new. When you listen to have the chance to gain new information. Make your point and then listen to others make theirs.
3. Listening is not just having to wait impatiently until you can yourself speak.
If you don’t want to listen, why should anyone else listen to you?
4. You may get new information and you can probe for further information with questions.
Listening give you the opportunity to learn something new, view something in a new way, or gain new insights. Close your mouth and open your ears.
5. You may get a point of view which had not occurred you before.
Which is a good thing.
6. There may be new insights and realisations that are triggered by the speaker.
Which is also a good thing.
7. You might realise there are alternatives perceptions that are new to you.
You can’t innovate or create by doing what you have always done. Listen, you might find a new, creative, and innovative way to do things.
8. You may learn the reasoning behind a point of view quite different from your own.
Which is a very good thing. When you know the reasons behind a point of view you can address the point of view in a more constructive manner.
9. You could learn how people apply values, which differ from your own.
You don’t know where people are coming from or the values they are speaking from if you don’t listen.
10. You should take note of the words used and especially the adjectives, which indicates feelings.
Word matter. Listen to them.
11. You should make a habit of repeating back to the speaker what you think you have understood. This is both useful and important.
Listen and clarify. This will help you avoid miscommunication
12. You should use questions to check on facts to ask for more details around points of interests.
Great results begin with great questions. Listen and then ask great questions.
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