Coaching Sprint - Quick lesson 2

Listen Like You Mean It

A Simple Focusing Technique That Helps You Stay Present In Your Coaching Conversations And Listen Deeply.
⏱ 2 minutes | Best viewed alongside your GROW practice challenges

Why This Matters

Now you've tried the GROW framework a few times. It's time to focus on the skill of listening deeply, which is much easier said than done. This is where the Listening Ladder comes on to help you.

Bonus: This technique works brilliantly in 1:1s, difficult conversations, and anywhere you need to truly understand what someone is telling you.

  Watch the Lesson

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 Audio Version

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Experiment. Learn. Repeat.

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Quick Reference: The Listening Ladder in 60 Seconds

Can't watch right now? Here's the essence:

The Summary:
Deep listening is where great coaching happens - but you can't get there if your environment is working against you. The Listening Ladder shows you four levels of listening, from ignoring/distracted at the bottom to deep listening at the top. Your best coaching starts with a simple 30-second setup ritual.

The Listening Ladder
Bottom rung: Ignoring/distracted
Second rung: Pretend listening (nodding but thinking about your response)
Third rung: Selective listening (waiting for your moment to talk)
Top rung: Deep listening (fully present, curious, exploring)

Deep listening is where great coaching happens. But here's the thing - you can't get there if your environment is working against you.

  Action: Have a go

Before your next 2 GROW conversations this week:
✅ Close the tabs (email, Slack, everything except what you need)
✅ Phone away (face down, out of sight)
✅ One deep breath (reset your brain)
✅ Ask yourself: "What does this person need from me right now?"

  What To Watch For

Notice how it feels to be fully present. What does the other person share when you're deeply listening? How does the quality of the conversation change?

   Share Your Progress

Post in Teams - what did you notice when you set yourself up to listen properly? What changed in your coaching conversation?

Your insights help everyone learn faster.

 
 Next Steps

✅ Watch the lesson (2 min)
✅ Try the Pre-conversation ritual
✅ Share your experience in the Teams channel
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