Committed Listening

Common Core Leadership in Mathematics Project, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2012-2013

Committed Listening

Learning Focused ConversationsOctober, 2012

This material was developed for use by participants in the Common Core Leadership in Mathematics (CCLM^2) project through the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Use by school district personnel to support learning of its teachers and staff is permitted provided appropriate acknowledgement of its source. Use by others is prohibited except by prior written permission.

Common Core Leadership in Mathematics Project, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2012-2013

Reviewing Ideas

Share ideas from your journal regarding characteristics of Consulting, Collaborating, and Coaching.

Common Core Leadership in Mathematics Project, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2012-2013

Consult

• Offer advice about processes, protocols, choices, and actions.

• Gap analysis that emerges regarding goals and outcomes or teacher actions and student behaviors.

• Provide a menu of options.• Elaborate on the “what”, “why”, and “how”

of proposed ways of thinking about issues and solutions.

Common Core Leadership in Mathematics Project, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2012-2013

Collaborate

• Shared analysis, problem –solving, decision-making, and reflection.

• Share idea development or gap analysis.• Supports mutual learning, mutual growth, and

mutual respect.• Co-develop information, ideas, and

approaches to problems.• Brainstorm ideas and options.

Common Core Leadership in Mathematics Project, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2012-2013

Coach• Support the colleague’s idea production,

instructional decision making, and ability to reflect on practice.

• Maintain a nonjudgmental stance with full attention to emotional and mental processes of colleague.

• Employ coaching tools of listening, paraphrasing, and probing to support the colleague’s planning and reflecting on practice.

Common Core Leadership in Mathematics Project, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2012-2013

Learning Goals and Success Criteria

• Identify your personal listening habits• Explore the components of committed listening• Realize how unproductive patterns of listening

negatively affect interactions with others

Success Criteria: Become aware of these patterns of listening when you are engaged in collegial conversations.

Common Core Leadership in Mathematics Project, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2012-2013

Listening Assessment

• Assess your current listening skills (pg. 26 and 27).

• Develop your profile of listening habits (pgs. 28).

• Set a listening quality you want to develop (pg. 29).

Common Core Leadership in Mathematics Project, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2012-2013

Reflection

Table discussion:• Share surprises from the listening

assessment.• Share your listening quality goal.

Common Core Leadership in Mathematics Project, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2012-2013

Unproductive Patterns of Listening

• Judgment and Criticism• Autobiographical (personal referencing) • Inquisitive (personal curiosity) • Solution (personal certainty)

Common Core Leadership in Mathematics Project, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2012-2013

Judgment and Criticism

• Occurs when our listening focuses on what we see as flaws or greatness in another person’s comments or ideas.

• Positive judgment: can be perceived as if you believe you know best or you are an authority

• Negative judgment: is a sure way to limit or reduce thinking, inspiration, and creativity.

Common Core Leadership in Mathematics Project, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2012-2013

Autobiographical Listening

• Occurs when our brain exercises its associative powers and the speaker’s story stimulates us to think of our personal experiences connected to those being addressed by the speaker.

• Personal comments can be beneficial to show empathy and understanding. The brain makes natural connections to show caring.

• The committed listener is always monitoring the amount of personal sharing.

Common Core Leadership in Mathematics Project, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2012-2013

Inquisitive Listening

• Occurs when we become curious about something the speaker says that is not relevant to the issue at hand.

• Inquisitive thoughts cause you to stop listening to the speaker. They might even go from thinking to speaking.

• A committed listener sets aside distracting thoughts to stay focused on the words of the speaker.

Common Core Leadership in Mathematics Project, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2012-2013

Solution Listening

• Occur when we view ourselves as great problem solvers, ready and eager to help and give suggestions to others.

• Interferes with understanding the situation from the colleagues perspective.

• Effective listeners monitor and manage their own listening skills by focusing their mental energies to committed listening.

Common Core Leadership in Mathematics Project, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2012-2013

10 and 8

Take a few minutes to share with a table partner what you are understanding about unproductive patterns of listening.

Common Core Leadership in Mathematics Project, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2012-2013

Learning Goals and Success Criteria

• Identify your personal listening habits• Explore the components of committed listening• Realize how unproductive patterns of listening

negatively affect interactions with others

Success Criteria: Become aware of these patterns of listening when you are engaged in collegial conversations.