Appreciative Listening: Collaborating in Times of Uncertainty | Ziksana (2023)

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• April 1, 2020
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We are currently facing a massive wave of uncertainty that has affected every aspect of our lives. Over the past few weeks, there have been many rapid changes that have drastically affected both our personal and professional lives. Many organizations are operating remotely for the first time, challenging leaders to find new ways to foster effective communication and collaboration in their teams.

Successful collaboration requires a connection among team members. It requires communication that leaves people feeling energized, motivated, and appreciated. Without physical proximity and daily face-to-face interactions, feeling connected and valued at work is harder than ever. In these uncertain, rapidly changing times, teams, leaders and organizations who practice this skill will continue to foster truly collaborative environments where people stay connected and engaged.

What is it?

Appreciative Listening is a type of listening where the speaker becomes the most important person in the room. All too often, when someone is speaking, the person or people listening are focused on themselves. Instead of focusing on what the speaker is saying, they begin mentally formulating their opinion and waiting for their turn to reply. With Appreciative Listening, the focus is entirely on the speaker. Instead of waiting for their turn to reply, the listener(s) put aside their perspective, opinions, and ideas for the purpose of fully understanding and appreciating what the speaker is saying. With this type of listening amongst team members, collaboration, connection, and motivation flourish.

How to Use in Times of Uncertainty

In times of ambiguity and uncertainty, people may feel distracted, unsure and anxious. Working collaboratively may become difficult as people push their own ideas and perspectives to create more control and safety for themselves. When things are uncertain, it can be hard to be open to other people’s ideas, especially when they have an impact on everyone involved. Practicing Appreciative Listening can encourage people to come together and find collaborative solutions rather than disagreeing or discounting others.

Practicing the following two principles of AP can help individuals, teams, and organizations thrive in ambiguity.

Being Fully Present

Appreciative Listening requires the listener to be fully present. In order to prioritize the speaker, ensure that your full focus can be on them. If you are meeting virtually, close all browser windows and set boundaries with roommates and family members to limit interruptions. Use nonverbal cues to show that you are fully invested in what the person is saying: make eye contact, nod your head, and position your body towards them. As a listener, being fully present also requires that you put aside your assumptions or judgments about what the person is saying. Instead of being tuned in to your own inner dialogue, listen to the other person with an open mind. When you are fully present for what the other person is saying, they will feel connected, valued, and more willing to share their ideas.

Practice Saying “Yes…And!”

In improvisational theatre, saying “yes…and!” is arguably the most important rule to follow when building collaborative scenes. All too often, people share their perspectives and ideas at work only to be told why they are incorrect or why their ideas won’t work. This type of response is dismissive and discourages people from sharing their ideas in the future. In times of uncertainty, innovative ideas are necessary. When collaborating with others, practice saying “Yes!” to their ideas and be open to trying them. Whenever possible, build directly on the ideas of others rather than immediately pitching a brand-new idea. People are more motivated and invested when they all have a say, leading to truly collaborative efforts.

Learn Appreciative Listening with Ziksana!

In times of ambiguity, the skill of Appreciative Listening becomes even more essential to the success of individuals, leaders, teams, and organizations. Contact us and check out our Appreciative Listening Virtual Workshop to discover how we can help you and your team with Appreciative Listening.

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Jim had a long and rich career with The Walt Disney Company that spanned 35 years. He joined The Walt Disney Company in 1986 as a Cast Member at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. He spent a majority of his career in development and communication roles across multiple Disney businesses, including Disney Store, Disney Consumer Products and Disney Institute. In these roles, Jim facilitated numerous skill-building and team-building programs. He has led classes ranging from coaching, customer-service, presentation techniques and behavioral styles that provide a blend of instruction, exercise, and role-play while linking the debrief back to company-specific objectives.

Jim has also been a host for an array of events. Since 1989, he has hosted hundreds of internal and external events for Disney and other companies/non-profits with audiences ranging from 15 to 2,000. The events have included award presentations, fund-raising galas, red-carpet interviews, and televised home shopping appearances.

As Founder and CEO of Kinetic Development, Kelby partners with local and global organizations to increase their leadership effectiveness so they can enhance business results. He draws on his multidisciplinary experience to find a targeted approach that works for each client, combining assessments, individual and team coaching, and large group facilitation.

As an Executive Leadership Coach, Kelby helps ambitious professionals refine their mindset and skillset so they can unleash their full potential. He helps clients “get out of their own way” by illuminating blind spots and challenging limiting beliefs. Through crystal-clear development goals and strategies, they accelerate leadership skills to improve performance and business outcomes.

Chris has influenced senior leaders to achieve greater impact in rapid growth organizations for over 15 years. He has experience leading a variety of change initiatives including leadership development, culture change, and end-to-end business process improvement. For 10 years, Chris managed continuous improvement efforts at World Vision International. He led projects to enhance collaboration, develop leadership bench strength, and streamline resource and information flow across 90 countries. In partnership with McKinsey, Accenture and Booz Allen Hamilton, Chris’s leadership and evaluation expertise helped two industry pioneering projects make critical adjustments to achieve greater return on investment. As a result, World Vision began operating more effectively at a global scale, during a time of rapid organizational growth.

Chris received his M.A. from Claremont Graduate University in Organizational Behavior Psychology and Program Evaluation. He also holds certificates in Project Management, Lean /Six Sigma (Green Belt), and Structured Behavioral Interviewing. Chris also founded Watz Productivity, a Consulting Company that uses data-driven solutions and coaching to support Executive Teams undergoing rapid growth.

Courtney is a graduate of The Edward R. Murrow School of Communication and began her career in Broadcast News as a producer at Washington State University. From there, she moved to Los Angeles, California where for over 10 years, she produced, wrote, and developed television programs for The Weather Channel, SyFy Network, Fox Sports, Sony Pictures Television, ABC Disney, NBC and CBS. In addition, she oversaw all aspects of production and prepared daily production plans for operations and filming. She relied heavily on her communications and client relations background as a liaison between cast, crew, agents, managers, publicists, the studio and the network.

Courtney also worked for The Found Animals Foundation; a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing the use of euthanasia in the United States. She was brought on as the program manager responsible for developing, managing and launching their National Microchip Program and free Microchip Registry, partnering with shelters, clinics, rescue groups and veterinarians. Her other responsibilities included developing and producing the foundation’s corporate videos that were shown at trade shows and conferences. In addition to that, she spearheaded the Found Animals Foundation Awards where she was responsible for all event logistics, promotions, and marketing.

Laura is a New-York native with a degree in Criminal Justice & Psychology from the University of Albany. She moved to San Diego in 2014 and began working as a residential counselor for youth in the foster-care system. During this time, Laura became deeply interested in how to create a therapeutic group environment where people could heal and grow.

In 2018, Laura began working in the field of Learning and Development as a group facilitator at The University of California, San Diego. Using a high-ropes course as an experiential learning tool, Laura has facilitated over 50 leadership and team development programs for children, young adults, and professionals. Additionally, Laura has been guiding and facilitating transformational outdoor adventures since 2018. Using lessons from the outdoors, she facilitates impactful experiences that help people grow both personally and professionally.

Akshay started his career as a Business Development & Project Leader at DuPont’s BioMedical, where he led product development teams to launch medical device implants for surgeries. During his career at DuPont, he led two product development teams and developed collaborative partnerships to take the medical devices to market. His passion for leading others jump started his innovative approach to leadership development.

In 2008, Akshay combined his love for improvisational theatre and leadership by founding Ziksana Consulting. He began delivering playful workshops to biomedical companies, and quickly expanded to other industries based on Ziksana’s initial succees. Akshay has a M.A. in Leadership Studies and Group Dynamics, and is a Certified Stakeholder Centered Coach. He has facilitated programs in leadership development, innovation, and team dynamics for adults and children in the U.S., Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, India, and South Africa.

Akshay served as an Adjunct Faculty member for the Center for Creative Leadership in San Diego for over 5 years, as well as a Consultant for the Centre for Organization Effectiveness.

Akshay started his career as a Business Development & Project Leader at DuPont’s BioMedical, where he led product development teams to launch medical device implants for surgeries. During his career at DuPont, he led two product development teams and developed collaborative partnerships to take the medical devices to market. His passion for leading others jump started his innovative approach to leadership development.

In 2008, Akshay combined his love for improvisational theatre and leadership by founding Ziksana Consulting. He began delivering playful workshops to biomedical companies, and quickly expanded to other industries based on Ziksana’s initial succees. Akshay has a M.A. in Leadership Studies and Group Dynamics, and is a Certified Stakeholder Centered Coach. He has facilitated programs in leadership development, innovation, and team dynamics for adults and children in the U.S., Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, India, and South Africa.

Akshay served as an Adjunct Faculty member for the Center for Creative Leadership in San Diego for over 5 years, as well as a Consultant for the Centre for Organization Effectiveness.