ABSTRACT
Listening, both a simple and a complex skill, is at the heart of effective communication. Developing the art of listening requires practice with supportive feedback within and across racial and cultural lines. Evaluations of educational interventions for health and social care practitioners show that racially and culturally effective communication can be improved upon. A model for transforming racial and cultural lines through a communication process is proposed. Listening partnerships and confidential exchange of listening are introduced as a cost-effective, sustainable intervention to improve communication skills. Additional components of the model include deepening awareness of self and others (surveys, experiences, and reflections); skill development in listening, loving, and lifting spirits; and deepening connections within and across racial and cultural lines. The Froehlich Communication Survey, the Treasuring the Human Race Survey, the Racial and Cultural Awareness and Action Survey, and the Treasuring All Life Survey are introduced so readers can deepen their awareness of their strengths, areas for improvement, and goals related to racially and culturally effective communication. Tables provide listening partnership and journal prompts to support deepening awareness, connection, and skill development.
