This quarterly email is sent to NSGConnect members to inspire self-reflection and discussions with colleagues relating to professional development topics. Add your thoughts on these topics on the NSGConnect Discussion Forum or find additional resources in the NSGConnect Library.
Listening
"When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen." - Ernest Hemingway
TED Talk Spotlight
10 Ways to have a better conversation
From TED.com "When your job hinges on how well you talk to people, you learn a lot about how to have conversations -- and that most of us don't converse very well. Celeste Headlee has worked as a radio host for decades, and she knows the ingredients of a great conversation: Honesty, brevity, clarity and a healthy amount of listening. In this insightful talk, she shares 10 useful rules for having better conversations. "Go out, talk to people, listen to people," she says. "And, most importantly, be prepared to be amazed."
https://www.ted.com/talks/celeste_headlee_10_ways_to_have_a_better_conversation
Self-Reflection/Discussion
- Reflect on a time that you felt truly heard. What happened during that conversation that made you feel supported and understood?
- What are your biggest sources of distraction during conversations? How can you better avoid those distractions?
- What important conversation do you want to have soon? What skills do you need to develop to get the most out of that opportunity to connect?
Tips for being a more engaged conversation partner and better listener
- Be fully engaged in the conversation – Remove distractions and focus completely on your conversation partner. If this is not possible, consider letting a person know you are distracted and offer another time for the conversation.
- Start conversations with curiosity – A key goal of conversation is to learn. Enter the conversation with the intention to learn something new. Ask open-ended questions and give your conversation partner time and space to share.
- Stay in the moment – Preparation for certain conversation is important, which may include a specific agenda and talking points. However, leave space for detours and be willing to let the conversation evolve, you will probably end up in a more interesting place.
Additional Resources
- Infographic: A quick visual reminder about Active Listening: Hear What People are Really Saying from Mindtools.com
https://www.mindtools.com/media/Images/Infographics/listening-skills-infographic.pdf
- Definitions: A review of different Types of Listening (appreciative, empathic, comprehensive and critical) from Lumen.com
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/atd-fscj-publicspeaking/chapter/types-of-listening/
- Article: Are You Really Listening? by Adam Bryant and Kevin Sharer from Harvard Business Review
This article reviews the importance of listening, especially in leadership positions. It provides 7 useful steps of how to expand your personal skills and impact a larger organization.
https://hbr.org/2021/03/are-you-really-listening
Facilitating the Genetic Counseling Process: A Practice Manual 2018 2nd Edition by Patricia McCarthy Veach, Bonnie S. LeRoy, Dianne M. Bartels. Chapter 3: Listening to Patients: Attending Skills and Chapter 4: Listening to Patients: Primary Empathy Skills
AND
A Guide to Genetic Counseling by Wendy R. Uhlmann, Jane L. Schuette, Beverly Yashar. Chapter 3: Interviewing: Beginning to See Each Other
A Final Thought – Connection to Our Profession
One of our core competencies as genetic counselors is "Employ active listening and interviewing skills to identify, assess, and empathically respond to stated and emerging concerns." https://www.gceducation.org/practice-based-competencies/
These skills are essential in connecting with our patients and colleagues, not to mention helpful in our day-to-day life with friends and family members.
This quarter's SPARK! Memo brought to you by Carol Brooks with the editing help of Emily Collins and Salma Nassef.
We welcome your feedback on these memos at salma.nassef@bcm.edu (Salma Nassef) or cbrooksms@gmail.com (Carol Brooks)------------------------------
Carol Brooks, MS, CGC
Cell: 917-742-5042
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