Graphic Capture and deep listening

What a whirl is in the winter air!  Lots of drawing in the first three months of the year – but in particular two graphic capture classes – a second class in Paris courtesy of our wonderful colleague Pierre Goirand, and a second class in Dresden Germany, co-hosted by Integral Development (www.integraldevelopment.de) with Sabine Soeder. 

As we participate together in these classes, our thinking about visual language emerge.  Our group discussions led us in all different spaces, but particularly in what the impact of the graphics can be on the individual who learns how to listen deeply, not insert themselves into the picture, and be in support of the group’s process.  Deep listening is such a gift and one that is very hard to teach, and to practice without regular engagement, and a conscious effort at doing so. 

At Alchemy, we encourage organizational leaders, HR professionals, executive coaches and employees to regularly practice skills of “deep listening”. We define deep listening in conjunction with active listening – being fully present in the moment of listening and shutting your own response off.  Deep listening goes one step further – allowing your own intuition to “dance” with the insights of the other person you are listening to.  This can also be thought of as listening in between the conversation, or for that which has not been said.  Through our experience, deep listening is an active action; it requires practice with other people and can significantly improve your skill as a graphic recorder. 

Here are a few tips into deep listening we use in graphic capture and with our clients:

Slow down – Will you just suspend yourself in the inquiry of the moment to hear what is going on?  The energy, the flow, the comments and the tone of the group or person?  Close your eyes and listen to your own breathe – where are you at this moment?

Presence – Otto Sharmer (www.theoryu.com/ -), Peter Senge (www.solonline.org/aboutsol/who/Senge/), Rita George (www.ritageorge.com)and others have gifted us with this simple and yet complex awareness of being present.  When we are simply present, we suspend all internal dialogue and conversation, we are open to what is there, and available to support what emerges.  As a facilitator and viusalist, this is critical tool.

Looking for Meaning – as we better understand those we are listening to, we can begin to intuit into what they are saying, what they are hoping for, what they may be struggling with.  Visual icons can affirm our sense; and this is truly the dance!

Get out of the way – Deep listening is not about you or what you think; it is really an act of support and service to the other.  Only when we get out of our own and the other person’s way (our team, our colleagues) can true creativity and commitment emerge.

What will you do to allow your internal visualist out?  What can deep lisetning teach you about yourself and others?  How can deep listening support you and your heart’s desire?

For photos of our graphic recording classes - check out our photo archive– www.flickr.com/photos/alchemists.