Action Listening - Approach to Leadership and Management

What if listening could create change?

Action Listening is a process of listening and enabling actions for positive change

At the heart of this process is the Listening CODE - an approach to deeper and purposeful conversations that connects listening with actions for change.

How has Action Listening helped leaders?

"It gave me a voice with senior management, showcasing my creative thinking and opening doors for my advancement within the organization"

The Action Listening Project was a transformative experience for me. It provided me with the opportunities to engage with colleagues and senior leaders I normally wouldn't. As a result of this project, we've initiated quarterly meetings for centralized decision-making, leading to a universally positive impact among senior leaders. This project gave me a voice with senior management, showcasing my creative thinking and opening doors for my advancement within the organization. I've learned to ask open-ended questions and genuinely listen, which has deepened my connections and improved our collaborative efforts. This project advanced my career and fostered a culture of open communication and shared goals within our organization.
— Senior Leader, Terminal Operations & Asset Management
"Action Listening transformed my listening skills, making me more comfortable with silence and more intentional in my approach"

Working on the Action Listening Project was one of the most impactful experiences of my Executive MBA Program. It helped me ask relevant questions related to my work and start meaningful conversations with a variety of stakeholders. By mapping my system and network, I realized the importance of engaging with less-connected individuals as they have offered me new perspectives on my challenge. The project enabled me to speak to important stakeholders whom I would not normally talk to. The Action Listening Project also transformed my listening skills, making me more comfortable with silence and more intentional in my approach. Overall, it created valuable opportunities for connection and insights, and I highly recommend it for fostering deep, intentional conversations to advance challenges or initiatives.
— Senior Leader, Higher Education

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We would love to know who is using the workbook

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Action Listening can be used to

Better understand a sticky issue or challenge
To receive feedback and feedforward insights
Figure out ways to grow within the organization

It combines aspects of

Listening

Design Thinking

Rounding for Outcomes

How can I be more effective in my current role?
How can I provide support for my team and myself through the transition to new leadership?
How can I create change in my company towards more environmentally sustainable practices?
How can we work more effectively across silos and functions in our organization?
How can we do better in developing leaders in our organization?
How can we make employees feel safe coming into the workplace?
How can we develop a remote workforce strategy?
How can I be a better ally and advocate for BIPOC staff?
How can I develop a high performing team?
How can I be a more effective communicator and public speaker?

What have others used the playbook for?

Developed by ListeningWorks

An initiative focused on developing leaders and responsive organizations. Based at the Beedie School of Business at Simon Fraser University.

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