Active Listening
Active Listening
You know that feeling when you're in a meeting and someone's talking, but you're already mentally crafting your response before they've even finished? Or when a team member comes to you with a problem and you jump straight into solution mode without really hearing what they're saying? We've all been there, and it's more common than you might think.
The thing is, most of us think we're good listeners because we're not interrupting or checking our phones. But real listening - the kind that actually makes people feel heard and builds genuine understanding - is a skill that takes practice. I've seen countless workplace conflicts, missed opportunities, and frustrated team members all because someone didn't really listen.
In Perth workplaces, where collaboration is everything, poor listening can derail projects, damage relationships, and create unnecessary stress. When you're not truly tuned in to what people are saying, you miss the real issues behind their words. You end up solving the wrong problems, giving advice that misses the mark, or worse - making people feel like their concerns don't matter.
This training cuts through the theory and focuses on what actually works. You'll learn how to catch yourself when your mind starts wandering, how to ask questions that uncover what people really mean, and how to respond in ways that show you've genuinely understood. We'll practice with real scenarios - like when a customer is frustrated but can't quite articulate why, or when a colleague is stressed about a project but keeps saying "everything's fine."
The practical benefits show up immediately. When people feel truly heard, they're more likely to share important information, work through problems collaboratively, and trust your judgment. You'll find yourself having fewer misunderstandings, resolving conflicts more quickly, and building stronger working relationships across the board.
What You'll Learn
How to recognize when you're listening to respond versus listening to understand, and how to switch your focus when you catch yourself doing it. You'll practice techniques for staying present in conversations, even when you're busy or stressed.
The art of asking follow-up questions that dig deeper without making people feel interrogated. We'll cover how to use phrases like "Help me understand..." and "What I'm hearing is..." to check your understanding and show you're engaged.
How to read between the lines and pick up on what people aren't saying directly. This includes recognizing emotional undertones, identifying when someone is holding back information, and understanding the difference between what people say and what they mean.
Practical strategies for managing your own reactions when you hear something you disagree with or that triggers you. You'll learn how to stay curious instead of defensive, and how to respond thoughtfully rather than reactively.
How to create an environment where people feel safe to share honestly, including body language, tone of voice, and the types of responses that encourage openness versus shut conversations down.
The Bottom Line
After this training, you'll notice conversations flowing more smoothly, people opening up to you more readily, and fewer instances of "But I thought you said..." You'll become the person others seek out when they need to talk through problems because they know you'll actually hear them. In a world where everyone's rushing to be heard, being someone who truly listens gives you a massive advantage in building relationships and getting things done. Plus, you'll probably find that workplace empathy becomes more genuine when you're actually tuned in to what people are experiencing, rather than just going through the motions of appearing concerned. The skills you develop here will make every interaction more productive and every relationship stronger, whether you're dealing with difficult workplace situations or simply trying to be a better colleague.