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Active Listening: A Key Quality for Every Producer

LAST UPDATED IN MAY 2023

As a Producer, active listening is one of the most important qualities you can possess. But, being a truly active listener is a skill that takes years to hone. It not only means that as a producer, you can listen to the needs of talent and other stakeholders; it also allows you to interpret them and offer viable and value-added solutions that lead to the creation of exemplary content.

Here are our simple tips to practice active listening to apply to your next production:

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Kirstie Boerst

AUTHOR

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Come without premeditated thoughts of what the story should be.
Don’t fall into the trap of using the same structures or templates for every client. Instead, do your homework to prepare for the meeting, but keep an open mind and let the client’s story guide you. Remember it’s their story, not yours.

Be present throughout the meeting.
Give your clients undivided attention and stay actively and presently listening with the following tips:

  • Come with a calm mind. If you know you are going to be late, notify them then take a few minutes to gather yourself before coming in
  • Maintain eye-contact
  • Put your phone on silent and away
  • Have notepad or other forms you prefer to take notes
  • Limits unnecessary comment that takes the focus away from the topic
  • Do NOT yawn!

Do not interrupt or finish their sentences.
Resist the urge to show off your expertise by assuming you know what the client is going to say next. Instead, help them to explore their ideas and clarify their thoughts.

Listen to what the client is trying to explain beyond what they are explaining.
The best and most impactful stories come from the heart which explains the deeper reason why they want to tell a particular story. Most clients tell the practical application of the story so it is our job to listen to what is not said verbally and ask quality questions to draw the emotion out.

Summarise back their explanation based on what you heard and understood, to confirm your understanding is accurate.
Here are a few sentences you can start with:

  • What I am hearing you say is ….
  • It sounds to me you’re talking about ….
  • Here is what I understand ….

Take the time to summarise what the client is saying to confirm that you understand their needs correctly. If you’re not sure, ask quality questions to help you gain clarity before moving on.

Active listening is a skill that takes time to develop, but it’s worth it. By practicing active listening, you can add value to your clients’ needs, create effective communication, and achieve smooth and effective productions.

In conclusion, active listening is an essential skill for any Producer. It takes time and practice to master, but the benefits are well worth the effort. By listening actively to your clients, you can create outstanding content that meets their needs and exceeds their expectations.

These simple tips can help you improve your active listening skills, and we hope they will be useful in your next production.

Remember, being an active listener means being present, engaged, and genuinely interested in your clients' stories. So, keep practicing, keep learning, and keep creating great content!

I hope you find these tips useful and please share other tips you may have.

Kirstie Boerst, writer of Active Listening: A Key Quality for Every Producer

Kirstie Boerst

WRITER
Kirstie is a Creative Producer and educator and has been a creative industries practitioner since 1982.
Kirstie is passionate about producing content that inspires audiences and changes lives.

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