ABSTRACT
This chapter is about learning how to listen deeply in a group setting. When facilitators listen to discussion in a meeting, they should be fully present and listen with an open, calm, receptive attention, and without trying to control or judge the comments. Deep listening is about removing barriers, listening intuitively to learn, and for understanding, rather than agreement, asking questions and reflecting to the group meanings that might otherwise be missed. Components of deep listening are addressed: presence, eye contact, nonverbal feedback, asking questions, connection. This chapter also discusses the importance of the facilitator using culturally appropriate methods in mixed racial and cultural settings.
