The Art of Asking Questions: Enhancing Communication Through Listening

Curious about the art of asking questions? Mike discusses the importance of crafting the right questions and how they can lead to deeper connections.

Dr. Michael W. Purdy (PhD Ohio University) is co–editor with Deborah Borisoff (NYU) of Listening in Everyday Life: A Personal and Professional Approach (2nd ed). He has authored articles for the International Journal of Listening, (including two articles in 2015). His publications include: Listening and Qualitative Research, in Listening and Human Communication in the 21st Century; Listening and the Non–Technologized Self in Cultura De Guatemala This last year he also posted an article (Listening Ecology: Tuning into the Environment, Saving the Planet) for the Global Listening Centre (http://www.globallisteningcentre.org).  and Listening Nudges: Empowerment (Not Power) draft on academia.edu.

In this episode of the Listening Superpower podcast, Mike shares his extensive journey in the world of listening, revealing the pivotal moments that shaped his understanding of its power. 

He reflects on his early experiences, including training at a phone health care call center, which introduced him to the fundamentals of listening. 

Mike also discusses his doctoral work on philosopher Merleau-Ponty, emphasizing the importance of receptivity and the role of the speaker in the listening process. 

Additionally, he shares insights from teaching an introductory interpersonal communication class and highlights the influence of early listening scholars at Ohio University. 

Join us for an enlightening conversation that explores the nuances of listening and its impact on communication.

 

Enjoy listening in.

 

"People do want to come together. They want to connect. They want to build relationships. They want to be seen. They want to be valued." - Michael W. Purdy 

 

SUPERPOWER Notes:

 

• 00:02:10 -  Foundations of Community: The Transformative Power of Listening

Listening emerges as a critical catalyst in community building, revealing how genuine attention can create meaningful connections and foster a sense of belonging.

• 00:05:32 -   Navigating Listening Dynamics: Understanding the Subtle Art of Connection delves deep into the intricate landscape of listening, exploring how conscious awareness of our communication patterns can fundamentally transform interpersonal interactions.

• 00:17:12 -   Conscious Listening: Decoding a Three-Dimensional Communication Skill. Mike unpacks "conscious listening" as a sophisticated skill comprising observation, strategic conversation management, and the ability to seamlessly flow within dialogue, challenging traditional notions of passive hearing.

• 00:20:22 -   The Alchemy of Questions: Unlocking Deeper Conversations Practical strategies are shared for elevating communication, with a focus on crafting open-ended questions that act as keys to unlocking more profound, meaningful exchanges.

• 00:28:12 -   Empathy in Action: Beyond Sympathy to Genuine Understanding The discussion explores the nuanced difference between sympathy and empathy, highlighting how truly listening can create more authentic and supportive connections.

Key Takeaways.

 

• "If we don't listen, we don't know how to respond." - Michael W. Purdy 

• "Democracy dies if people won't or can't or don't know how to listen." - Michael W. Purdy 

• "Conscious listening is the process of working at being a listener."- Michael W. Purdy 

• "It takes a long time. People think (listening) is a very complicated thing."- Michael W. Purdy

• "Relax and listen."- Michael W. Purdy 

 

Poeple and Resources mentioned

• Yaval Harari 

• Brene Brown 

• Dick Halley 

• Heidegger 

• Merleau-Ponty 

• ILA (International Listening Association) 

Connect with Michael W. Purdy 

• https://www.globallisteningcentre.org/member/michael-w-purdy/ 

• https://www.globallisteningcentre.org/