How can you improve your listening skills with volunteers?

Volunteers are likely critical to your work in some form, and you need their input. Intentionality, however, is key. You have to create opportunities for your volunteers to give feedback. Surveys are great but you also need direct dialogue. Surveys capture the things they don't feel comfortable saying directly to you but direct dialogue allows them to truly feel heard. You get to ask follow-up questions and get a real grasp of the ups and downs of their experience.

Volunteers deepen your bench. They bring rich professional and life experience to your organization. In a world where we compete for top talent, we can’t afford not to.

Listening to ideas shared by Volunteers with focus is the heart of a this new journey for engaging with community development. The association with Volunteers towards value add for Non profit sector begins from the premise of attentive listening . Essentially the volunteers shall come with varied understanding about the work related to development sector. Hence a friendly conversation with various live case studies shall lead to organic learning processes for the volunteers .

Listening to volunteers is valuable because they often bring passion, diverse perspectives, and a genuine commitment to a cause. Their voluntary contributions can offer unique insights and dedicated efforts that can positively impact various initiatives. Also, it is very important to leave one’s ego at the door so the mind is receptive to different ideas and viewpoints.

The beauty of volunteering is that you serve selflessly without getting anything back. One can develop good listening skills while interacting and leading the volunteers because they will share their feedback and opinion without any fear. Above all leader has to listen to make them feel participated, valued and heard. Moreover, you have to listen the volunteer to intact their interest and motivation to serve the give you better result. The leader in volunteering has to be real leader and demonstrate leadership skill unlike in job sitting where some people leading team behave with bossy attitude. Thus while volunteering you have to listen and respond to every volunteer.

There are two things to always think of when we hear the word 'Volunteers'. 1. They are humans and should be seen as such. 2. They are core stakeholders making the work doable and goals achievable. Understanding these two key points helps us shift focus to the need to consider their voices and inputs in the overall development of the organisation. They are meant to be given a seat at the table because they are a valuable member of the team too. Most times, their opinions give helpful insights into the direction a team can go (which may have been overlooked by the management team).

A youth initiative development program enhances volunteer listening skills through targeted training, workshops, and real-life scenarios. Incorporating practical exercises, role-playing, and feedback, it fosters empathetic listening. Mentorship and peer-to-peer learning create a supportive environment, emphasizing that effective listening strengthens communication, builds cohesive teams, and contributes to initiative success.

After working for more than 10 years with volunteers i see that listening to your volunteers is very important to open your mind to them goals and understanding how new generations are thinking so you can update your work internally

In my estimation there is only one way to be prepared to listen. That is to actually value the person you are going to be listening to. If you do not value the person, you will not truly value their opinion and thus there is no point in going through the charade. Even if you believe that they are competent and may have a worth while perspective, your lack of value for them will taint your interaction and poison some, if not all, the potential of their opinion.

Dispa-se de seus preconceitos e abra seu coração! Essas são as maiores dicas que eu dou para os momentos que antecedem uma conversa com escuta ativa! Paz!

Adjust your body to a position of attention and openness. Give strong eye contact be quiet and lean in to give a receiving stance.

Please kindly tell yourself that this person is worth listening as you prepare to meet with them. Do see yourselves as partners in progress...

Good questions to ask at the start, and/ or periodically: What inspired you to volunteer with us? What brings you feelings of success and satisfaction while working with us? What do you see as the most important goals in this work? Has that changed at all since you started? Have you noticed ways to improve our mutual success? If you could change anything, would you? And in what way?

I find I helpful to take some time before I meet with a volunteer to sit quietly and write down what I do (think I) know about them. This helps me decide on things I would like to know, and it keeps me both humble and curious. The result is that I am fully paying attention during the conversation, and I can be delighted by what I learn.

No matter the meeting, the set-up to get valuable insights is standard: 1. Have a goal for that session (What are you trying to learn or uncover?). 2. Define key questions that you want answered. 3. Put in place a structure that enables sharing and that puts you in the position to speak the least. 4. Define the tone you want to set in the session: open and non-judgmental, creative and innovative, out-of-the-box, critical and sharp, evaluative etc. 5. Set-up additional prompts that enable you to probe further based on their answers and sharing.

Make this a business conversation - it's professional, not a gossip session. Sit down in a quiet place, make it a comfortable place to be and then... LISTEN. Concentrate on hearing what they are saying, not on what YOU should say, or a solution. That's for later. Hear the concerns, Hear the ideas. Make notes. Don't look over their head and see who else is around - they should be your focus.

Be prepared to control your instinct to solve the issue. Most just want to know they've been "heard". Face them, make eye contact, and be careful to sit openly (without arms crossed, etc.) to physically show you are open and interested in the conversation. Put phone on silent and away from view, so it isn't a distraction.

To prepare for effective listening, follow these steps: Create a Conducive Environment: Choose a quiet, comfortable space with minimal distractions. Mental Preparation: Clear your mind of preoccupations to focus solely on the speaker. Understand the Context: Know the topic and purpose of the conversation. This helps in following along and asking relevant questions. Set Listening Goals: Decide what you want to achieve - understanding, evaluating, or learning. Be Open-Minded: Approach the conversation without biases or judgments. Eliminate Distractions: Turn off or put away unnecessary electronics. Take Notes: Jot down key points, especially if the information is complex or lengthy.

"Shut up!" An essential part of listening is to stop talking. This seems to be particularly difficult for men listening to women and for extoverts listening to introverts. Is it also true for white people listening to People of Colour? For straight people encountering 2SLGBTQQ++? Age? Class? Other forms of othering? Also, put distractions such as screens out of sight or on airplane mode. Put up a 'Do Not Disturb' sign so others don't interrupt. I like to take notes, but some people I listen to find this annoying, so ask permission. That helps me jot down points I want to come back to later, without distracting myself by trying to remember. Finally, both should agree on the time limit, so they know how long they have.

One of the ways to listen actively is to be in the moment with the person you are talking to. Your countenance should show that you are in the moment with them. It is like sitting in the mud with them rather than jumping to solve the problem. Sometimes all what people need is someone to listen to them and not judge. We do not listen to judge, we listen to understand and that is what our world needs today. I have been in a meeting with a friend for like 2 hours and all I was doing was listening and at the end of the call, my friend already had solutions to the problem they were facing. You could also repeat what you have heard and you can always ask questions for clarification. Like go on, I am with you. What do you mean here?

To actively listen to your volunteers, or any member of your team: 1. Pay undivided attention to the speaker: maintain eye contact, and even nod. 2. Don't listen to provide response immediately, while you take note of the speakers gestures or body language. 3. Listen sympathetically especially in sensitive conversations. Make sure you are not interrupting the speaker with counter statements, invalidating the speaker's feelings or even trivialising their experiences. 4. Reflect by paraphrasing, to ascertain you understand what has been said so far. 5. For conflict resolution, have facilitative conversations to provide solutions. When your volunteers are heard, they would feel respected, and even more confident within the work system.

Active listening does not come naturally to everyone, I particularly struggle with it. Ask yourself: "Am I listening to understand?"

Listen to all that is said, be there in the experience with them to understand and value the information they are sharing with you because they do not have to share their experiences with you but are choosing to do so!

La comunicación no verbal es tan importante como la verbal, e incluso según las situaciones que se pueden crear, es más efectiva. La escucha, los silencios también forman parte de esa comunicación

Take notes! Or, at least stop them when they've made an important point (whether important to them, or important to the success of the team) and repeat or restate what they have said to highlight the importance of the volunteer and their contribution.

It's all too easy to multi-task and start checking emails when someone is talking to you! It takes practice but to actively listen, you have to pay attention. Often times, I'll bring out a notebook to take notes when someone is speaking to me so that 1) they know that I find value in what they are saying and 2) my hands are busy doing something which means less room for distraction

We used and trained Parent Effectiveness Training, by Thomas Gordon, early in my career as a counselor. Very effective with high risk youth and families.

El escuchar sin prejuicios es la clave para una comunicación efectiva, cuando soy consciente de que quién nos habla es una persona que tiene algo en su interior que quiere exteriorizar y siendo objetivo me conecto con él o ella voy a lograr hacer que la escucha sea activa, porque sus palabras se harán eco en mi y podré con claridad decir cosas que contribuyan al otro.

Leveraging tools like the DiSC profile can help you better understand your personal communication style and can also help you prepare in advance for interactions with individuals whose natural interpersonal communication styles are different from your own. While they are only guides for reflection, evidence-based personality tests offer significant food for thought. DiSC reports are customized and are rich with information. These resources should be reviewed among teams for enhanced internal collaboration on a regular basis while also being referenced in preparation for conversations with volunteers.

Aside from listening skills mentioned above which is relevant for face-to-face conversations, being aware of what's being shared in social media platforms can also help you gauge on volunteers perceptions and challenges. This can better prepare you and have additional insights before even engaging in face-to-face conversations.

Pay attention - to the person, their attitude. if they made an appointment to talk to you- be sure to have done your research about the person - social media and those who work with them are good starting places. If you already know why they want to talk to you - be prepared. But don't jump in and argue with them. Let them talk - give their PoV.

"Probing questions that challenge" can be tricky. You have to accept a person's experience and emotions as real, while inviting a different way of perceiving it. People often get stuck on who is right to the detriment of problem solving. Acknowledging that what is said or seen by one can be received or seen by another differently avoids a lot of resistance and insistence.

Para escutar voluntários de forma crítica, mas sem vieses, é preciso dar foco nos fatos e não na personalidade da pessoa. Em uma situação de conflito, por exemplo, ressalte as consequências do fato para o programa e para o grupo.

Always ensure to listen to understand first instead of listening to reply or counter. When you listen to understand, you get much out of the message but when you listen to answer, you focus more on the messenger.

Zum kritischen Zuhören gehört vor allem auch das Nachfragen. Dies kann uner anderem auch allein durch Blicke und Gesten geschehen.

Critical listening interests actively engaging with and evaluating the content of communication. It involves analyzing arguments' logic and strength, identifying underlying assumptions and biases, recognizing emotional influences, assessing the speaker's credibility, distinguishing facts from opinions, noting missing information, and reflecting on the broader context. Asking defining questions and integrating new data with existing knowledge is also crucial. This approach is not about skepticism but thoughtful, analytical engagement to form reasoned decisions.

Totalmente de acuerdo. A veces es difícil dar el punto de vista contrario al que se expone. Hay herramientas como el uso de ejemplos reales, situaciones acontecidas que puedes exponer para que se entienda de otra manera

Listening critically involves actively evaluating and analyzing the information you hear. Pay attention to the speaker's tone, intent, and supporting evidence. Question assumptions, consider alternative perspectives, and be mindful of your own biases. Engage with the content by asking questions and seeking clarity. Practice reflective listening to understand the speaker's point of view before forming your own conclusions.

this depends on what kind of discussion this is! An ideas session?- then whiteboard or big sheets of paper and lots of writing of ideas - and don't be afraid to be slightly ridiculous - Sure, let's have an elephant carry in the volunteer of the year - anyone got one? Is it a complaint session - then some give and take - bring in others if necessary.

Humor is a great way to invite people to think out of any boxes they might get stuck in. Inviting others to join you in thinking up ridiculous or wildly unlikely solutions frequently sparks a possible realistic idea, while lightening the conversation with laughter. This has worked well in most cases, but there are some who prefer serious and linear thinking all the time. Can usually identify this preference before you offer, and definitely by their response to any invitation.

Taking notes has proven to be one of the most effective ways of listening. Ensure you jot down the salient points. What is visible is more likely to be remembered.

I try not to ask questions that might prejudice their responses. Sometimes if a group of volunteers can brainstorm or meet without a manager or staff person in the room, they may come up with more different perspectives.

Creative listening involves more than just listening to words. It's about engaging intensely with the speaker's ideas, emotions, and intentions. We have to be focused and avoid distractions. We have to acknowledge what they are saying through nods and affirmations. Besides, we should embrace unconventional ideas or perspectives. This can spark creative solutions and show that you value innovation. Ask questions that encourage elaboration, explanation, or reflection. This can lead to deeper insights and encourages the speaker to explore their thoughts more thoroughly.

Listening creatively to volunteers involves going beyond the literal interpretation of their words and exploring the ideas and possibilities they suggest. It's about being open to new perspectives and using the insights shared by volunteers as a springboard for innovation and problem-solving within the organization. This type of listening encourages a collaborative environment where volunteers' ideas are not just heard but are also used as inspiration for creative solutions. By embracing this approach, organizations can foster a culture of creativity and inclusivity, where volunteers feel their contributions can genuinely lead to positive change and growth.

Listening to volunteers creatively involves more than simply hearing their words; it entails actively engaging with them to foster better collaboration within the team. Utilizing methods such as anonymous suggestion boxes, online forums, or interactive workshops to gather input from volunteers in innovative ways exemplifies creative listening. Establishing reflective listening circles or peer support groups provides volunteers with a safe and non-judgmental space to share their thoughts and feelings, promoting open communication and mutual understanding. This approach encourages volunteers to speak up and enables leaders to take necessary actions based on the observations made.

When you may be ready to listen but nobody speaks, it is your responsibility to create psychological safety and, where beneficial, a level of pressure for participants to speak. I work in a culture where young people don't speak in front of elders, officers don't speak ahead of managers etc.. I create the pressure by putting everyone on the same level and requesting contributions (ie: as we start on this matter, we'll take a 2 minutes download from each of us in the group - no negotiations). I also create psychological safety by how I respond to every input and create value after each individual contribution. With this approach I had team members say how shocked they were that since week one on the job they felt their opinion mattered

I have been a senior volunteer and volunteer leader for thirty years in a larger hierarchy-based organisation. In my observation paid leaders find it incredibly difficult to get their heads around the fact that, while they necessarily “outrank” the volunteers they engage with, in real life outside the organisation many of us work routinely at or above their seniority and level of experience. A failure to fully grasp this fact means they routinely underrate or ignore our input, and soon enough stop receiving it because it’s clearly a likely waste of time providing it.

Another practice when learning about your volunteers is to provide space when transitioning from topics. Silence goes a long way when considering advice and navigating difficult/new objectives. Listening to understand may seem awkward and have silent pauses but will get you much further than just listening to respond.

Wait to speak until you are sure the person is done saying what they need to. Repeat back to them what you heard. Ask them how they would handle the situation. Have them try to see the other side of the story and what would they do.

No matter what technique you are using to become a better listener and, therefore better communicator, remember it all happens in the present moment. If you are outside of what is happening now, you will be distracted and less "available" for true listening.

The emphasis in all the above sections is on techniques rather than dynamics. How about simply listening honestly. Listening because you are genuinely interested, concerned and willing to learn, rather than following a manual that comes with your job description.

It's important to help volunteers organize their ideas and align them with the organization's vision and mission. While most volunteers join with passion and energy, many don't receive the necessary training and support to fully utilize their unique gifts. Therefore, it's crucial to listen carefully as we guide them in channeling their passion in the right direction.

If you ask if there are any questions in a group, and there are never any questions, that's a yellow flag. You may need to talk to volunteers one or one, or have someone else dialogue with them, preferably someone closer to their age, generation, culture, etc, in case there are power dynamics interfering with full participation. Or use another medium like a survey, as above.

Improving listening skills with volunteers can be achieved through various methods. Effective listening involves being attuned to both the message and the messenger. Therefore, one way to enhance this skill is to be intentional about understanding how each volunteer expresses their thoughts, feelings, and knowledge. Once you have acquired this knowledge, you can apply it to your communication with them, fostering better understanding and connection.

I've said it before, but looping back, unpacking decisions and keeping volunteers informed will go a long way to rounding out your "listening" experience. It may feel contrary when this involves you 'speaking' but it contributes to "I feel heard, and understood". Volunteers will put up with a lot that goes against their advice if they at least feel well-understood, and are advised some of the reason why we do things this way. Build this into your practice, and when the time comes that a full explanation is unavailable, the team will trust that you've got their perspective in mind.