Transformative Listening
Discovering Four Fields of Conversation
C. Otto Scharmer
Presencing Institute, MIT
A Core Question of our time seems is:
How can we overcome Divisions?
Shifting your mode of listening can be LIFE-CHANGING.
Our Relationships
Our World
Transforming how we listen changes how we experience:
Ourselves
Different Types of Conversations are shaped by
uterly distinct Ways of Listening,
wich profoundly shape our Experience and Perception
1D TALK is shaped by Self-Affirmative Listening:
1D Listening focuses on what we already know.
1D Listening aims to reconfirm and protect Our Known World.
(1D = One Dimensional)
One Dimensional Conversation
2D DEBATE is shaped by Factual Listening:
2D Listening shifts focus to what is new to us.
2D Listening aims to engage with our Unknown World*.
(2D = Two Dimensional)
Two Dimensional Conversations
(*which can be in destructive or constructive ways)
Known
World
Unknown
World
3D DIALOGUE is shaped by Empathic Listening:
3D Listening shifts focus to another person’s experience.
3D Listening aims to understand Another’s World.
(3D = Three Dimensional)
Three Dimensional Conversations
Known
World
Another´s
World
That means that Different Ways of Listening
transform how we perceive the world.
In 1D Listening we are the center of the world.*
We experience predominantly through one perspective.
Our World can become small and flat.
(*1D-Listening can be very helpful, for example it is key to our psychological understanding of ourselves.)
In 2D Listening we become a part of the world.
We experience it through two or more perspectives.
Our World grows larger and multilayered.
(Note: 2D-Listening is a key to our critical understanding of complex issues.)
In 3D Listening other people become real and a part of the world.
We experience their world through their eyes.
The World of Another becomes real and three dimensional.
(Note: 3D-Listening is a key to our empathic understanding of other people.)
The unexpected action of deep
listening can create a space of transformation.
Martin Luther King Jr.
Sounds good that 3D Listening
is our solution to current divisions, right?
Not quite.
Unfortunately, there is a Shadow to Empathy.
Research shows that Empathy
is mostly activated towards our In-Groups.
One sided empathy can already
lead to violence in a simple football match.
How much more when it comes
to our groups around nation or religion?
We need Empathic Listening to diverse people and perspectives.
We need to respond to divisions of our time with 3D+ Listening which:
Activates our Connection with diverse people
Enables our Exploration of contradicting perspectives
Empowers our Worldview to better hold complexity
3D + Listening enables us to practice another Type of Conversation:
COLLECTIVE SENSE MAKING
which is shaped by Innovative Listening:
3D + Listening focuses on unlocking our collective intelligence.
3D + Listening aims to understand complex issues on a deeper level.
In 3D+ Listening diverse people
of different social groups become real to us.
We experience the world through
multiple and at times contradicting perspectives.
Our World becomes real and three dimensional*.
(*Note: 3D+ Listening is key to understanding
our Interdependence with each other and the world.)
The Core Task of our Time appears to be:
to transform from a ‘Me-Thinking’
to a ‘We-Thinking’?
Inspired by C. Otto Scharmer
TRANSFORMATIVE LISTENING Part 2
By crossingborderseducation
