Listening with Impact
“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.”
— Stephen Covey
In our attempts to influence others, we often focus our efforts on sharpening our arguments in order to anticipate and refute all possible resistance. When
we communicate our position to others, we overstate the virtues of our perspective, downplay possible downsides, and focus our listening on identifying and
surfacing the vulnerabilities of alternative points of view. Simply put, when others speak, we are either listening for opportunities to undermine their
argument, find support for our position, or rehearsing compelling arguments to further support our pre-existing position.
This is what typically passes for "communication" in today's modern day workplace. It is not communication, merely "conversational endurance" as
individuals take turns stating and restating their points of view. The failure to truly listen and seek to understand alternative points of view is one of
the main reasons why innovation and collaboration are lacking in most organizations.
Listening With Impact
is a dynamic, hands-on workshop for business leaders committed to fostering a culture of innovation in the workplace — forward thinking innovators
conscious of the fact that their ability to spark positive change is doomed until they learn to become significantly better listeners.
You Will Learn How To:
- Communicate to others that you seek to understand their point of view
- Rethink your position to incorporate the interests and concerns of others
- Engage in true dialogue in which the goal is to gain a deep understanding of multiple perspectives rather than to select any one of them
- Understand and apply the three fundamental levels of listening
- Spark engagement, creativity, and commitment via deep listening
- Expand your own thinking about what is possible and desirable
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Storytelling for the Revolution
Storytelling for the Revolution is Mitch Ditkoff's newly published book about the power of personal storytelling to elevate the conversation on planet Earth. Provocative. Evocative. And fun. YOU have stories to tell. This book will help you tell them.
Storytelling at Work

"The world is not made of atoms," wrote the poet, Muriel Rukeyser. "It's made of stories." Learn how to discover, honor, and unpack the stories of yours that show up "on the job" in Mitch Ditkoff's award-winning 2015 book, Storytelling at Work.
Mitch Ditkoff, the Co-Founder and President of Idea Champions, has recently been voted a top 5 speaker in the field of innovation and creativity by Speakers Platform, a leading speaker's bureau.
Workshops & Trainings

Highly engaging learning experiences
that increase each participant's ability to
become a creative force for positive change
Brainstorm Facilitation

High impact certification training that teaches
committed change agents how to lead
groundbreaking ideation sessions
Cultivating Innovation

Your "best and brightest" are the future leaders of your company, but unless they know how to foster a culture of innovation, their impact will be limited. A one-day workshop with us is all they need to begin this journey.
Our Blog Cabin

Our Heart of Innovation blog is a daily destination for movers and shakers everywhere — gleefully produced by our President, Mitch Ditkoff, voted "best innovation blogger in the world" two years running.
Team Innovation

Innovation is a team sport. Brilliant ideas go nowhere unless your people are aligned, collaborative, and team-oriented. That doesn't happen automatically, however. It takes intention, clarity, selflessness, and a new way of operating.

If you're looking for a powerful way to jump start innovation and get your creative juices flowing,
Awake at the Wheel is for you.
Written by Mitch Ditkoff, Co-Founder and President of Idea Champions.
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