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I've been using active listening approaches for about 6 years now, when I interview candidates, to great effect. I give a head's up to the candidate of what I'
by Twirrim 1y ago
I've been using active listening approaches for about 6 years now, when I interview candidates, to great effect.
I give a head's up to the candidate of what I'm going to do, right at the top after introducing myself. During the interview proper, I'll ask a question, and while the candidate is speaking, I'll make notes about what they've said. Then I read back to the candidates the notes I've written, asking clarifying questions, and seeing if there's anything that I've misunderstood or anything they'd like to expand on. I make it clear at the outset, and usually mention later on, that any mistake in the notes is on my part and that they should feel free to correct me. I've been surprised about how comfortable people have been to correct my misunderstandings. From time to time, I've even shared my screen so they can see what notes I've made. Once the interview is complete, I flesh out the notes with any impressions above and beyond the content, while I consider if I see them as a hire or no hire, and at what level.
This has resulted in much more positive experiences all round in interviews. Candidates seem to relax quicker, and get into the flow of things more readily. They're able to talk more freely without fear of being misunderstood, knowing they've got a chance to correct any misunderstanding later on in the loop.
- twelvedogs 1y agoi've often been surprised while working with kids that i'll be trying to manipulate them into a way of thinking about a problem or task and they ask me why i'm talking in that way or asking those (usually just prompting) questions i'll usually just tell them why i'm trying to manipulate them into thinking about the problem in the way i want (in kid friendly language) and they're perfectly fine with it. people don't really seem to mind being manipulated like that, they really just hate not understanding what's going on or being lied to.
- fumblertzu 1y agoI also tend to think about this with the term manipulation, because it feels to me a bit like that. But in the end it really engages the other party to take their own steps and quetion what I am asking. I guess that is less manipulative than other communication approaches...
- deleted 1y ago[deleted]
- jrs235 1y agoThank you for using the correct vowel for your context. A pet peeve of mine is when people misuse flesh and flush. Flesh is adding to a body of work. Flush is removing unnecessary details from the work. One adds flesh to bones (an outline, draft, etc.). One flushes crap down the toilet, getting rid of it.
- christophilus 1y agoAre you saying that you’ve heard people say something like, “let’s flush this out”? I’ve never heard or read that before.
- embedding-shape 1y agoNever heard that either, and I've mostly worked in professional settings where there wasn't many native English speakers, but most of the communication was in English anyways, and don't recall hearing/seeing that once. And I'm usually slightly bothered by those silly things too.
- ddulaney 1y agoAlthough, “let’s flush this out” is also a hunting idiom, as in flushing out game. So that may be part of the confusion.
- jrs235 1y ago"I created a story in Jira. Next refinement session we need to flush out the details."
- christophilus 1y agoTo which the Jira bot should automatically reply, “We need to flush that sentence— and Jira— down the toilet.”
- BobbyTables2 1y agoI once had an exterminator flush out an animal from my attic. Who wants details in Agile/Scrum anyway? Flush them out! /s