Congratulations! You’ve realized your potential as a peacebuilder, designed a peaceproject, discovered some important issues for you and your community, and now it’s time to go deeper. Now you want to get to the ROOT of the issues. But how? Listening is the most important skill for a deeper exploration of the issues. Consider these listening skill tips as you engage with others.
Step 1
Listen: Focus on what the other person is saying. Let thoughts about “To Do” lists and your own stories or responses pass through. If you tell yourself not to think about them, those thoughts will just get in the way. Acknowledge them, let them go, and focus on the speaker.
Step 2
Listen: Indicate you are listening with appropriate nods of your head, or short verbal acknowledgements such as , “oh”, “uh uh”.
Step 3
Listen: Don’t interrupt them. Stay quiet until the speaker is finished. Interruptions sidetrack the other person’s train of thought.
Step 4
Listen: Show you understand by restating in your own words what the other person has shared with you. This is a very important step in showing the speaker that you are listening and genuinely trying to understand. This is one of the most important skills to use when you are in a difficult conversation with someone.
Step 5
Listen: Look at the person speaking. If it is culturally appropriate, look at the face of the person speaking.
