74. The Art of Listening with Radha Ruparell, Head of the Global Leadership Accelerator, Teach for All

Are you a good listener?

For this Women of Color Rise episode, I talk with Radha Ruparell who heads the Global Leadership Accelerator at Teach For All and is the author of Brave Now. Radha and I discuss how leaders often focus on communication but don’t give attention to the art of listening. In these times of polarization, listening is especially important because it can help us build relationships and understand other points of view, so that we can move forward together.

We discuss three steps to help us be better listeners:

1. Develop self-awareness of our filters. We may think that we are listening with an open-mind when in reality we are listening with established filters. These filters are often formed when we are young, for example the filters of not feeling like we are smart/good enough. These filters keep us being judgmental instead of truly being open.

2. Put our filters aside. Having self-awareness of our filters allows us then to deliberately put our filters aside so we can be open to the other person. We are no longer planning our response about why they are wrong and why we are right. We are present.

3. Set an intention to be a listening. Once we are able to release ourselves and our judgments, we are more able to be fully present for the other person. We set an intention to be a listening (a noun) for the other person, a vessel open to their perspectives, feelings, hopes, and dreams. 

It’s such a rare gift to listen to others without any hidden agendas. When was the last time you were listened to with genuine curiosity and openness without judgment? Imagine what is possible when you can truly listen to others.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://analizawolf.com/ep-74-the-art-of-listening-with-radha-ruparell-head-of-the-global-leadership-accelerator