This document discusses the importance of active listening when connecting with colleagues. It recommends letting people figure things out for themselves without rushing to offer solutions, being okay with uncertainty, noticing and setting aside unhelpful judgements, finding out how individuals like to work, making time for them, and listening more without preconceptions. The overall message is about giving people what they say they need, ditching assumptions, and making oneself present and available through active listening.

1. Connect with
colleagues using
active listening
Laura Morgan @elsie_em

2. “What’s your
experience
with Agile?”

3. “What makes
a good
Product
Manager?”
Image © Martin Eriksson, mindtheproduct.com

4. This is
Matt.
Matt is
sad.

5. “Hi, I’m Laura
and I’m an
expert.”

6. “We value individuals and
interactions over
processes and tools.”

7. I was talking over
people.
I wasn’t listening.

8. How do people work best?

9. How do these people work best?

10. I absolved
myself of
responsibility.

12. “The brain that contains the problem
probably also contains the solution.”
- Nancy KIine, Time To Think

13. Don’t rush to offer solutions
Let people figure it out
Be OK with uncertainty

14. …I’m here to learn.

15. Matt is happy.

16. I don’t get to
decide whose
hand needs
holding.

17. Notice the judgements you make
Decide whether they’re valuable
If not, set them aside

19. Find out how people like to work
Make space in your diary
Give people what they say they
need, not what you think they need

20. Listen more
Don’t rush to offer solutions
Ditch your preconceptions
Make time and be present

21. Thank you!
l.morgan@comicrelief.com @elsie_em