How listening well can improve wellbeing, reduce stress and strengthen your relationships.
Listening well is a topic discussed by the NHS; listening skills are taught to counsellors and psychologists, encouraged in schools, sought out by business leaders and encouraged by parents.
At Waverley Abbey, we think that listening is so important that we created a free course on How to Listen Well. To help people learn more about this essential skill and how to put it into practice.
Why is listening so important?
‘In our fast-paced world where technology fosters rapid, but fragmented communication, and in which anxiety and mental health concerns are prolific, the ability to ‘listen well’ has never been more crucial.’ - Introduction from How to Listen Well
Listening is essential for nurturing relationships, understanding other people, developing supportive environments and addressing conflict. Listening builds trust, grows friendships, strengthens relationships and creates space for honesty.
Jesus modelled great listening in everything He did:
- He stopped what He was doing to give people His undivided attention
- Jesus asked questions, inviting people to share their thoughts
- The many examples of Jesus listening to others shows how listening with love and grace can transform lives
‘My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.’ James 1:19
What happens if we don’t listen well?
When we don’t listen well, we can:
- Damage our relationships with others. When people feel like they aren’t being listened to, they feel ignored and hurt. It can lead to people not sharing and talking anymore.
- Cause stress and anxiety. Someone can feel lonely and isolated, negatively impacting their mental health and wellbeing.
- Prevent ourselves from learning and growing. When we fail to listen to feedback, advice and different perspectives, we miss out on opportunities for self-improvement and development.
How does listening well impact others?
Listening helps people feel like they matter. That they are valued and appreciated. When we listen well, we:
- Build stronger relationships. Effective listening builds trust; people feel confident sharing their thoughts and feelings, knowing they will be respected.
- Support someone’s emotional wellbeing. Giving space to someone to share their feelings can provide relief and comfort.
- Increase empathy and compassion. The more we listen with the purpose of understanding another person's perspective, our empathy and compassion increases.
- Improve communication and resolve conflicts. Listening attentively to others’ concerns, we can navigate conflicts more effectively and work toward shared goals.
- Empower others. Reflective listening can help people hear their thoughts and feelings, increase self-awareness, gain insights and take meaningful action in their lives.
All of these points about good and bad listening are expanded on in our free course, How to Listen Well.
‘“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”’ Matthew 7: 24
Free online course
The free course is easy to use and quick to complete. You can gain insight and helpful listening tools to use in your relationships, at home, with friends, at church and at work in just one hour and 18 minutes!
- Learn to listen in a way that makes others feel heard, understood, and appreciated
- Become a cheerleader for those around you
- Experience breakthroughs in your personal and professional relationships
- Connect with and support others with your listening skills
Whether you’re an experienced listener, or are just starting on the journey, this quick course gives you the tools to ‘listen well.’
Lessons learned by course delegates
‘Completing the course has given me the tools that I need to practice and become a better listener. I really appreciated that the course was free, accessible and interesting in format and design. The videos, podcasts and scenarios helped keep my attention and kept me engaged.’
‘I have just joined my church's Pastoral Ministry and this course will be very helpful to me.’
‘It was good hearing about the need to check in with ourselves too. To make sure we’re being attentive and in the right headspace to listen to others.’
‘I had originally concluded that all people need is for someone just to be there and listen. But after the course I felt that people need more than just time and space with someone listening - they need to know that Jesus is listening.’
Learn more with Waverley Abbey
We regularly host free webinars on topics like this and more, such as caring for yourself and introductions to longer courses on counselling and chaplaincy taught at Waverley Abbey College.
Choose your next webinar.
PRAY WITH US
Thank You Father for listening to us.
We are so grateful that You want to share in our lives. Thank You for showing us the way to love others. Help us to be more like You; to give our time, patience and compassion to listen well to others.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen