Upbuild Coaching Bits: Listening For Transformation

Transformational listening is one of the four listening channels.

Transformational listening is about listening for openings, new possibilities, emerging opportunities, and forces that generate change.

When you are focusing on transformational listening, you are listening for what is possible for the person that they may not yet be aware of.  You are also paying attention to who this person is becoming. To listen effectively on this channel, it is important to focus on seeing the person as resourceful and capable, even if they do not see themselves that way.

Examples:

• Someone is talking about getting a promotion, and you sense that something much bigger is at stake for them as a leader.

• Someone is stuck believing that they cannot have what they want, but you sense that they are growing in unimaginable ways through this process.

• Someone is focusing on the problems in their family, and you are seeing the possibility that they can shift the family dynamics forever by showing up in a different way.

Coaching application: In an upcoming session hold these questions in your mind…

• What’s possible for my client that they might not see themselves?

• Who is my client becoming?

After the session is over, write your answers to these questions in your notes.

Life application: Next time you have a substantive conversation with one of your colleagues, friends or family members, ask yourself the same two questions…

• What’s possible for this person that they might not see themselves?

• Who is this person becoming?

Note what’s different as you contemplate these questions and hold your vision of the person during the conversation.

Relevant Upbuild content:

• [Podcast] This is Your Damn Life (Apple / Spotify)

• [Podcast] The Four Listening Channels and the Power of Curiosity (Apple / Spotify)

• [Article] A Takeaway for 2022: Being Pulled Toward Our Best Self