Session VIII

Topic:  Listen Together

Introduction: In the World Café conversation, listening is as important as talking. Listening into speech is a careful attention to what is being said, and perhaps what is not being said. So listening is about more than not talking. Listening is being able to respond to what someone is saying. Pick out something of interest and say it back. For supplemental reading, see Resources.

Objectives: By the end of this session, you will

• Learn how to listen for patterns in conversation
• Decide if you are easy going or like orders  

Notes for Animators: Listening to the group you are meeting with it is important to get a sense of the whole group, the energy, what needs to happen.

Abdikarim and Anita had their meeting agenda one night, but it seemed like no one was paying attention, or listening or discussing the topic. People were disagreeing with one another. So, instead of continuing with the agenda as planned, Abdikarim & Anita stopped to ask the team for feedback. No creative discussion could take place until people had a chance to discuss a rumor about the program that had been circulating. Anita had wondered if this would come up, but she hadn't had a chance to tell Abdikarim about it before the meeting. So the meeting stopped to deal with the rumor. Once people were able to air their concerns, the agenda could continue.

Journal Question: Give an example of a time that listening was not easy for you to do. Do you like to keep on track, or go with the flow? Discuss the importance of each one.

Materials needed: See Pictures

Reflection: Listening to the needs of a group is a role of the community animators. They must help to move things along. Listening is one way to do it.

 

Handout (PDF)

Next Session: Share