What if listening could create change?

Listening Works

An initiative focused on developing leaders and responsive organizations.

Based out of Simon Fraser University’s Beedie School of Business

Listening is an untapped natural resource. Without listening, there is no perspective. Without listening, leaders work alone. It is a valued leadership skill at every level. It is also one of the most difficult skills to master. People struggle to listen where it is needed the most. This is the Listening Paradox*.

*Yip, J. & Fisher, C.M. (2022) Listening in Organizations: A synthesis and future agenda. Academy of Management Annals. https://journals.aom.org/doi/10.5465/annals.2020.0367

Action Listening - a process to build your capacity for listening

Action Listening is a process of listening and enabling actions for positive change. At the heart of this process is the Listening CODE - an approach to deeper and purposeful conversations that connects listening with actions for change.

The image include 3 boxes with arrows from each box to the next one. First box - Connect to build trust through listening. Second box - Discover core converns & resources for change. Third box - Explore to close the loop & create momentum for change.

Action Listening can be used to

  • Better understand a sticky issue or challenge

  • To receive feedback and feedforward insights

  • Figure out ways to grow within the organization

It combines aspects of

Listening

Design Thinking

Design Thinking

Rounding for Outcomes

Rounding for Outcomes

  • How can I be more effective in my current role?

  • How can I provide support for my team and myself through the transition to new leadership?

  • How can I create change in my company towards more environmentally sustainable practices?

  • How can we work more effectively across silos and functions in our organization?

  • How can we do better in developing leaders in our organization?

  • How can we make employees feel safe coming into the workplace?

  • How can we develop a remote workforce strategy?

  • How can I be a better ally and advocate for BIPOC staff?

  • How can I develop a high performing team?

  • How can I be a more effective communicator and public speaker?

What have others used the playbook for?

The Action Listening Playbook

We have developed the Action Listening Playbook (and a fill-able workbook) to help leaders like you to listen better, build relationships, and respond to change. The process laid out in this playbook will help guide your response to change and address a challenge worth facing in your organization, community, or in your own development as a leader. This playbook will help you identify a challenge, build trust with stakeholders, gain perspective, and take action.