The path to transformation goes through dreams!

While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” (Matthew 17:5)

What really matters and why?

Today marks day #3 of lessons learned from the Real Talk Training (RTT) seminar held in Culpeper on January 27. Today’s content comes directly from the RTT manual.

Listening is a lost art and discipline in our fast paced, high gratification based culture. For most people, listening is a self-centered pattern. Yet listening can be a powerful skill that exerts more influence on others than one can imagine. Many leaders have improved their effectiveness by mastering listening.

There are several key elements to listening; being attentive to the “whole person” language; listening to the content of what is being said; and listening to what is not being said. Often times reading in-between the lines and formulating questions from this perspective will yield powerful and transformational results.

There are three levels of listening:

Level 1: Self-centered listening
“What does this mean to me?”
Attention is on me, my own needs, and what this conversation can do for me.

Level 2: Other-centered listening
“What does this mean to this person?”
Attention is on the other person, and what is being communicated.

Level 3: Purpose-centered listening
“What does this really mean?”
Attention is on the other person, and the underlying meanings and significance of what is happening.

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, forgive me for not being a good steward with many of my conversations in the past. Thank You for using Joseph Umidi and the Real Talk Training seminar to open my eyes of understanding to what real coaching is all about. It’s my desire to be a purpose-centered listener. Teach and transform me to do that. Thank You Jesus. Amen.

Link of the Day
The Lost Art of Listening: How Learning to Listen Can Improve Relationships (Paperback)
http://http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Art-Listening-Learning-Relationships/dp/1572301317

Blessings to listen to what really matters!

Not Used
• The art of listening – by Brenda Ueland [http://traubman.igc.org/listenof.htm]
• Prospect: http://traubman.igc.org/index.htm