*Deacon was mobile during the talk so you may have to adjust the volume while listening.

I. Introduction

1. What is 'listening'?
2. What gets in the way?
3. Test yourself - think of a recent conversation...

II. Strategies to improve, that is be a useful and effective listener

1. Invoke the Holy Spirit and constantly listen to prompts
2. Outward appearance - that is 'body language' and unspoken cues
   1. Position
   2. Eye contact
   3. Gestures - facial and other
3. Helpful approaches
   1. Restating
   2. Clarifying
   3. Information seeking - open-ended vs. closed-ended questions
   4. Establishing a timeline
   5. Limited self-disclosure
4. Hindering approaches
   1. 'Why' questions
   2. Giving advice
   3. "I know how you feel"
   4. "The same thing happened to me"
5. Sum up the conversation and perhaps plan to continue the discussion

III. Test yourself - 'process recording'

MC: Adam Hahn

Parochial Vicar: Tyler Arens

Presenter: Deacon Rick Freedberg

Brought to you By: The Knights of Columbus