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Most of us think we’re good listeners—but the truth is, we’re just hearing. Listening isn’t just about nodding and making eye contact; it’s a skill that can be built and refined. And when done right, it’s a game-changer for trust, collaboration, and communication at work.

In this video, I’ll introduce you to the REAL framework for active listening: Receive, Engage, Align, and Learn more. It’s a simple, memorable approach that will help you truly connect as a manager with you team.Listening well isn’t just about understanding someone’s words; it’s about ensuring they feel heard, accepted, and valued. That’s what builds trust and strengthens relationships. And this idea isn’t just mine—I’ve been influenced by the incredible work of Julian Treasure, who highlights the science and art of communication, and Charles Duhigg, whose research into habits and human behavior shows how listening can become a superpower for anyone willing to practice it.

We’ll also look at eye-opening research from Harvard Business School about how so many of us struggle to stay present in conversations.

Chapters:

00:-00 How do you Listen?

00:37 Meet David Burkus

00:54 What does the research tell us?

02:17 The REAL Listening Framework

03:58 Receive!

04:18 Engage!

04:42 Align!

05:11 Learn More

05:48 Also, don't overcomplicate it!

//ABOUT DAVID

One of the world’s leading business thinkers, David Burkus’ forward-thinking ideas and bestselling books are helping leaders and teams do their best work ever.He is the best-selling author of four books about business and leadership. His books have won multiple awards and have been translated into dozens of languages. His insights on leadership and teamwork have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, USAToday, Fast Company, the Financial Times, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, CNN, the BBC, NPR, and CBS This Morning. Since 2017, Burkus has been ranked as one of the world’s top business thought leaders by Thinkers50. As a sought-after international speaker, his TED Talk has been viewed over 2 million times. He’s worked with leaders from organizations across all industries including Google, Stryker, Fidelity, Viacom, and even the US Naval Academy.A former business school professor, Burkus holds a master’s degree in organizational psychology from the University of Oklahoma, and a doctorate in strategic leadership from Regent University.

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