SD-105. Transforming Listening, Learning, and Laughing into Dynamic Leadership

This 1-day group workshop is designed to help participants realize the power of active and empathetic listening for increasing morale and productivity. By blending the arts of listening, learning, and laughing, participants can be equipped to practice effective and electrifying leadership.

OBJECTIVE: Through the presentation of key concepts and interactive role playing, participants will learn about four types of listening: analytic, analogical, empathic, and 'integrative. Participants will also discover four techniques that can be used for "active listening": clarifying, paraphrasing, reflecting feelings, and summarizing.

OUTLINE:

I. Obstacles to dynamic leadership can be overcome by

A. Doing more with less and eliciting group 'input.

B. Developing personality styles that encourage effective listening.

C. Recognizing inherent difficulty *in listening and understanding.

II. Tools and techniques for effective listening:

A. Discovering the four styles of listening.

B. Practicing the four techniques of active listening.

C. Role playing the four styles and techniques.

III. Transforming listening, learning and laughing into dynamic leadership:

A. Building bridges between diverse cultures and personalities.

B. Using empathy and 'intuition to overcome resistance and diffuse power struggles.

C. Sharing healing humor to strengthen one's leadership position and group cohesiveness

EXPECTED OUTCOMES:

I. This workshop will empower participants to have more effective problem-solving discussions with their colleagues and managers, to have a better understanding of cultural and personality differences, and to use more effective problem-solving tactics_

II. Participants will learn how to use "healing humor" to resolve conflict and enhance group cohesiveness as well as to become more effective leaders.