Objectives:
Practice active listening skills
Understand the concept of youth-centered mentoring
Key Points:
Healthy communication requires active listening skills. Active listening is about receiving information from the cadet and remaining non-judgmental and empathetic. How can you be an active listener?
- Give undivided attention! Find a time and place that allows you to focus on this cadet. Avoid mixing other obligations with this time and find a location that will not be distracting to either party.
- Seek to understand! When the cadet is sharing information, seek to understand. Ask more questions and try to withhold judgment.
- “What I hear you saying is…” We all want to be understood. Show the cadet you are listening.
- Non-verbals are powerful! 93% of communication is nonverbal. Show the cadet you are listening with your body language, i.e. head nodding, arms unfolded and eye contact.
Developing a youth-centered relationship is about finding a cadet’s strengths. This is a fundamental shift away from focusing on a child’s ‘issues.’ With active listening skills and an emphasis on identifying your cadet’s strengths, your relationship will be off to a good start.
Checklist:
___ Review the Resources
___ Complete Activities
___ Complete the Module 10 Questions
Resources:
PDF – Fairview Health Library: Active Listening Tip Sheet
Video – Active Listening Strategies: How to Be A Good Listener
Video – iSpeak Sales Discovery M.A.P. – Effective Listening
Activities:
Reflect on the questions below. Save your responses to help you practice active listening approaches with your mentee.
- Identify three locations that would give you undivided time with your mentee.
- How can you learn more about the cadet’s strengths? Identify 1-2 questions you could ask to learn more about what they are good at or proud of.
