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Navigating Relationships Through Better Listening

February 13, 20242 min read

Are you listening? Really Listening?

Laura Janusik, a trainer, coach, consultant, speaker, and researcher talks about the importance of listening in communication.

We discuss:

  • How our listening habits shape our interactions

  • The importance of quality listening and it's impact on the quality of our communication

  • The concept of "listening intelligence" and how to improve your ability to listen well

  • The four types of listeners and their strengths

  • The role of empathy in effective listening

  • How men and women are different (and similar) in their listening habits and strategies

  • Advice for those who hesitate to speak up and be heard

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Episode Timeline

00:08 The Importance of Listening in Communication

01:04 Laura's Journey into Listening Research

02:32 Understanding Listening and Its Impact

04:10 The Dunning Kruger Effect and Listening

05:48 The Challenges of Listening in Different Environments

06:57 The Role of Listening in Conflict Resolution

08:41 The Importance of Shared Experiences in Listening

31:14 Understanding Different Listening Habits

37:12 Improving Listening Skills for Quiet Individuals

About Our Guest: Laura Janusik

Laura Janusik is a dynamic trainer, coach, consultant, speaker and researcher. She is a worldwide leading expert in teaching and training listening. She uses her MBA and PhD in Communication to help individuals and teams better align their communication through the Power of Listening. As a listening researcher herself for over 20 years, she is familiar with listening research from many disciplines and uses it liberally in her work. Her approach to communication, both verbal and nonverbal, is practical and other-centered and based on research.

She is a past president of the International Listening Association, and she is published both nationally and internationally. You’ll find her research and ideas cited in publications including Forbes, Harvard Business Review, The Wall Street Journal, NPR, and US News and World Report. In addition to education, Laura was in HR Managements in private industry for 15 years.

Laura left academia after 20 years to bring the message of listening to a wider audience, and she loves working with business leaders and helping them understand and practice “being on the same page” with their teams. Laura often is brought in as a private coach for employees ranging from entry level to C-suite individuals with great technical skills but poor people skills.

You can reach Laura through her website, Listening to Change or on LinkedIn.

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