Active listening – first run report

I just came back from the most wonderful experience. I had been invited to JCI Frankfurt International group to share my international experience, and to share information about Norway and Norwegian culture.

As you can read here, I had some challenges going there, but I did arrive finally.

When I got this opportunity to visit, I offered them a training too. And Andreas Ellenberger, the group manager, allowed me to do a first run – a first test – of one of my new trainings. This is very challenging, as no-one really knows if the training will work or not, and no-one knows if the structure is good or bad, and if the purpose of the training is fulfilled.

To make things even harder, this was a one-hour training with the topic Active Listening. Making shorter trainings always is harder than longer ones – as you need to focus solely on what is relevant and important.

I rehearse, we arrange the room, and things get rolling. I expected 12 to 15 participants, and get a great surprise when the room is filled up! 24 people in total! For a first run, this is really great!

When we start, I soon realize that timing will be an issue. So a mental note to self: You need to rework the theory.

The participants are very active and very open minded. They came from five different countries, and we had great fun with sharing cultural differences and playing with words.

I liked fact that everyone seemed very happy with training, and they where paying full attention and actively participating during the full 75 minutes that we worked together.

And I noticed that I did everything as I had planned it.

There are a few things I will need to change. I have not decided what yet, but since we spent 75 minutes instead of 60, I will have to take something out. I might shorten the exercises a bit, and I may also shorten the introduction. In addition, I consider reducing some of the theory parts, and put it in the participant’s manual instead.

Now I will go through the feedback I have received so far and use it as a general guideline to what I need to change.

Thank you JCI Frankfurt am Main (Wirtschaftsjunioren Frankfurt am Main) for organising this great evening and inviting me to be a part of it. I enjoyed every second of it!