Coaching with Sid

The Superpower of Listening: Ascending the Four Levels of Mastery

sent by Siddharth Anantharam    |  July 28, 2023

sent by Siddharth Anantharam
July 28, 2023

In an increasingly complex world, I have realized that the act of LISTENING DEEPLY is one of the simplest but most invaluable superpowers.

And here’s the best part – it is a skill that any entrepreneur, coach or creative visionary can learn to master if they really choose to.

Are you aware that listening encapsulates 4 distinct tiers?

Recognizing the tier at which you primarily listen is an excellent initial step towards bolstering your skill.

These 4 unique tiers of listening were identified by MIT scholar Otto Scharmer – indicating that the deeper your level, the more effectively you engage in conversation with another individual.

Listening Tier 1: Downloading

Absorbing what you are already AWARE of.

It’s when you are physically there but mentally elsewhere, ruminating on your tasks for the day or dinner plans. It also applies when you participate in a discussion where you already presume to predict the speaker’s points. You’re diverted, attempting to fast-track the interaction, resulting in no new insights gained, no information learned, no beliefs challenged.

If you’ve encountered an obstinate boss or friend who consistently fails to appreciate your perspective, they are likely operating at this tier of listening.

Listening Tier 2: Factual Listening

Attuning to what you DON’T KNOW. Focusing on FACTS and fresh INSIGHTS.

Tier Two Listening can facilitate a compelling debate since it confronts your preconceived beliefs. Post-discussion, you are enriched with fresh insights that potentially question your existing presumptions.

If you find yourself in a spirited dispute or attempting to acquire a new skill, you are functioning at this level of listening.

Listening Tier 3: Empathic Listening

Hearing beyond the FACTS, to comprehend SUBTLETIES, SENTIMENTS, and EMOTIONS.

With Tier Three Listening, you establish a deeper emotional bond with the speaker and discern the unspoken cues by “reading between the lines”. This ability to empathize and see matters from their vantage point fosters a more profound emotional bond.

If, during a meeting, you comprehend not just the data from your colleague but also their sentiments, you’re employing this level of listening.

Listening Tier 4: Generative Listening

Attuning to the nascent potentialities of the future.

This is the zenith of listening, where you transform yourself into a conduit to BIRTH unprecedented possibilities.

At this level, you listen from a space of profound tranquillity and presence. You listen not just to the ongoing conversation but also to a budding possibility that springs from it.

If a brainstorming session at work resulted in a novel innovation or breakthrough concept, it’s likely that most participants were employing this level of listening.

Alright coaches, let’s take this listening game up a notch.

It’s not just about hearing words, it’s about tapping into the unsaid, feeling the emotions, and unlocking potential. Remember, breakthroughs come when we ascend to empathic and generative listening.

Now, here’s the challenge – reflect on where you’re at and then put this wisdom into action. Let’s revolutionize our dialogues and redefine our relationships together.

I want to hear from you. What’s your take? What level of listening do you find yourself at most often?

Drop your thoughts in the comments below.

Let’s use our collective power to transform our communication landscape. 

Here’s to forging deeper connections!

Onward and upward, folks!

Leave a Comment

16 thoughts on “The Superpower of Listening: Ascending the Four Levels of Mastery”

  1. 👉 In my observation, the majority of individuals typically operate at Tiers 1 & 2 throughout their lives. However, those who frequently engage in Tiers 3 & 4 tend to be among the most eloquent communicators I’ve known.

  2. For me it depends on who I’m talking to at the time and who I am BEING. Most times I’m between tier 3 & 4

  3. Wow, fantastic weblog layout! How lengthy have you been running a blog for?
    you made blogging glance easy. The full look of your site is excellent, as smartly as the content material!
    You can see similar: sklep online and here sklep internetowy

  4. I am extremely inspired with your writing talents and also with the layout in your weblog.
    Is this a paid subject or did you customize it your self? Either way keep up the excellent quality writing, it is rare to look a great weblog
    like this one nowadays.. I saw similar here: najlepszy sklep and also here:
    sklep internetowy

  5. Hello there! Do you know if they make any plugins to
    assist with Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good results.
    If you know of any please share. Many thanks! You can read similar art here:
    Najlepszy sklep

  6. Wow, awesome weblog format! How long have you ever
    been blogging for? you make blogging look easy.
    The total look of your web site is fantastic, as smartly
    as the content! You can see similar here e-commerce

  7. Wow, fantastic weblog format! How long have you been running a blog for?
    you make running a blog look easy. The entire glance of your website
    is magnificent, as well as the content! You can see similar here prev next and those was wrote by Julius70.

  8. Wow, awesome blog layout! How lengthy have you ever been running a blog for?

    you make running a blog look easy. The overall glance of your site is wonderful,
    as neatly as the content material! You can read similar here prev next and that was wrote by Lowell08.

  9. Wow, wonderful weblog layout! How long have you been blogging for?
    you make running a blog look easy. The entire glance of your
    site is wonderful, let alone the content material! You can see similar here prev next and
    those was wrote by Jaqueline91.

  10. Wow, superb blog structure! How long have you ever been running a blog
    for? you make blogging look easy. The full look of your
    website is great, as smartly as the content material!
    You can read similar here prev next and it’s was wrote
    by Santos76.

  11. Wow, awesome blog layout! How long have you been running a blog for?

    you made running a blog look easy. The entire glance of your site is excellent, as
    well as the content! I saw similar here Analisa Pan4.

    2024/04/23

Comments are closed.

ABOUT THE NEWSLETTER

Join a community of 5000+ coaches who Coach with Confidence. Every Thursday, you’ll get 1 actionable insight from me to master the art, science and business of coaching.