First 25 Minutes
Always best to open up with a story: How JFK’s listening skills and decision-making steps solved the Cuban Missile Crisis without starting WWIII (based on Tougias’ book about the topic)
Instead of using dry power point slides of texts or charts the slides Tougias will share are amazing – from the actual event. Many recently declassified. (The audience will be surprised to learn the Russians shot down and killed one of our pilots over Cuba and I’ll share a slide from this actual event. JFK had to respond, but how?)
Video of Tougias speaking found on his website https://www.michaeltougias.com/video
Next 25 Minutes
Here is where we will give practical tips for more effective listening. I would work with your team to add any additional points you would like me to emphasize.
- The importance of fully listening before offering a solution
- Eye contact, nodding to let the listener know you are engaged
- When the person has finished talking, you may want to quickly summarize what their key point and concern was to make sure you are on the same page.
- How I make my living as an author by carefully listening. Why do survivors of extreme situations (I’ve written eight true survival books) trust me rather than other authors who contact them? It is because of the way I conduct the initial interview – I’ll share my listening technique.
- Tips on how to run an effective meeting/brainstorming question – the host needs to let everyone have equal time to speak without being interrupted, and the host should not tip their hand which direction they are leaning as that may influence the participants.
- After addressing the need to listen effectively, we also need to discuss what to do when someone can’t stop talking. We can have a little fun with this as I did in my recent article for AARP titled Talkarrhea! https://seniorplanet.org/articles-man-cave-on-talking/
- And we have to look in the mirror: could we be the person who talks too much and talks over people?
- Finally, Tougias can discuss the different ways men and women listen and process, citing from the extensive research in the book Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus. Knowing about these subtle differences can lead to greater understanding.
At the end of the session open it up to Q&A. Besides questions about listening and running more effective meetings, I’ve found people are fascinated when they learn about the untold story of the Cuban Missile Crisis.