With the experiences we have all had of living through a pandemic, communication skills have become increasingly important, especially so in remote work settings and our private lives. Listening is the forgotten communication skill, but arguably, the most important. It is a crucial part of our ability to engage and communicate with others. Listening deeply, however, takes this skill set up a level. So, if you would like to build relationships by creating trust and mutual understanding, and by bringing a diversity of thoughts and ideas to the conversation, then enroll for this course. There are three steps to master in order to become a better listener: listening with purpose, listening for understanding, and listening with empathy.

This course consists of four sections. It starts off with a quick introduction to the benefits of developing your listening skills. You will then identify good and bad listening habits in yourself and others, which you need to do before you proceed with building on and developing your own listening skills. The course then takes you through strategies to practice and improve your skills to listen with purpose, understanding, and, most importantly, empathy.

I designed this course for those who want to develop a deep listening mindset as a gamechanger, whether professionally or privately, or both. Good listening skills are rare, and so they need to be practiced and developed. As you develop your listening with purpose, understanding and empathy, you will start to build better trust and stronger relationships.

I am Sonia Vandeleur. I am an experienced thinking skills teacher, a trainer, a TEDx speaker and author. I have a PhD in education. I have headed the Cognitive Education Department at an independent school for over a decade, developing the program and training teachers, both nationally and internationally. My passion and interest is on the impact of thinking skills on our academic, professional and private lives.

By enrolling for this course, you can bring about real and meaningful change. You will experience how being better at listening will make you more curious, and it will open up the world around you.Listening well is a sign of respect and it will enrich both your life and the lives of others. I look forward to engaging with you in the course.