Instructions:

For this assignment, I'm asking you to have a conversation with someone where you engage in deliberate responsive listening. I want you to do more than simply "show you are paying attention," I want you to practice actually paying attention. I want you to posture yourself in such a way that you are prepared to be amazed. This might sound silly, especially if you are planning to have a conversation with someone you know very well. There is something magical that happens when a person feels like another is truly listening, truly interested in their words. You might see them differently after the conversation, and that might also see you differently.

Step One:IdentifyYour "Listening Ninja" Mission

Identify the person you want to listen to deliberately, and set a plan for when, where, and how that 15-30 minute conversation will take place. It doesn't necessarily need to be scheduled, but it does need to be clear in your mind that you are committed to giving your full attention when an opportunity presents itself. The other person should not know that you are giving your best listening attention as part of a class assignment. Ideally, the conversation would be in person, but it is okay if the conversation is a phone call or video chat. Be very intentional about why you chose that person. In your reflection, I'll ask you to provide a rationale for why you chose the person you did. Do they not typically get your best listening behavior? Do they need your focused attention? Is there a difficult topic that you avoid? Do you feel a distance between the two of you?

Step Two: Carry OutYour "Listening Ninja" Mission

Try your best to listen deliberately with compassion, without judgment, and with an open heart. You might have some questions in mind that you would like to ask. Make it your goal to be amazed and interact with them in a new way that might reveal things about you (and them) that are impossible in our rushed, distracted conversations. Remember, the way you listen and the way you ask questions (including your nonverbal communication) will greatly influence how the conversation progresses. As you are listening, take mental notes about how the experience goes using the questions below to guide your thoughts. Some of your answers to these questions can be integrated into step 3 where you will create something that shows your understanding of the impact of your listening habits on the conversation with someone you care about.

• What bad listening habits or barriers to good listening came up for you? How did you cope with them or overcome them so you could listen deliberately?
• What kinds of listening responses were most useful during your conversation (questioning, paraphrasing, silent, etc.)?
• How did the other person seem to feel or respond to your "listening ninja" efforts? How did your "listening ninja" efforts impact the conversation (depth, length, etc.)?
• How did you feel at the beginning? During the conversation? Afterward?

Step Three: DocumentYour "Listening Ninja" Mission

You get to choose how you want to show me what you learned! Create and upload some sort of artifactthatdocuments your missionanddemonstrates your learning. Your artifact might be a:

• An investigative or diagnostic report. Imagine yourself as a private detective uncovering your own listening flaws or as a medical doctor diagnosing your blind spots. Include a "treatment" or "response" plan that shows your growth.
• Vlog or Facebook Live confessional-style video where you reveal yourself and your insights
• Create and post a photo of a piece of art made by you (sculpture, comic, graphic, painting, etc.) and accompanying text to explain your artwork and what it shows about your mission
• A video of a song or spoken word that you perform
• A PowerPoint or google slides
• Digital boards (Padlet, sway, etc.)
• Diary or journal-entry style paper that details your mission and your new understandings or insights
• Traditional five paragraph essay

. (For my artifact, I choose a traditional five paragraph essay)