Mindful Listening as a Force for Innovation

Abstract

In this chapter, we explore with you the difference between hearing, listening and mindful listening. More importantly, this is a chapter with a difference because we ask you to not just read but to participate fully in a self-learning programme that will focus your attention on your listening skills and how to improve them. You will find out that:

• Without mindful listening it is simply not possible to extract what is important from what is said and to make the kind of connections that are needed for innovation.

• By raising your awareness of what it means to be a good listener and the benefits that it brings, you will be motivated to adopt mindful listening as a way of being and more able to both encourage and to pick up upon good ideas.

• With active practice of the key skills that underpin mindful listening, you are investing in your ability to drive innovation by becoming a catalyst for idea generation.