Listening as a Martial Art
Cash Nickerson
John Bahcall Auditorium
2pm April 11, 2016
Throughout life you’ve probably heard over and over how important listening is in communication, but how many of us actively practice and perfect our listening skills? Are you someone who needs to improve the way you communicate, particularly in listening? Do you often miss important details or points in a conversation because you are too busy mentally formulating a response rather than listening to the other party? Do you have a hard time staying focused in a conversation, or understanding what is being said?
Cash Nickerson, author of Listening as a Martial Art, has redefined the “art of listening” by applying the principles of martial arts to communication and improving the way people listen, understand, and relate to one another. Mr. Nickerson promises an entertaining and educational hour of joint discovery on the topic of listening, a skill that he believes receives far too little attention. His seminar will cover many aspects of listening, such as:
- Why is listening a Martial Art? What does it mean to be “in the moment?”
- How can we “Be Like Water” in listening situations and not “sword drawn”
- How we all can listen and remember meetings and presentations better
- Relearning the value and power of silence
- Getting in touch with the rhythm of a speaker to boost understanding
- How ego impacts listening and the willingness to change our opinion
- “Say this not that” – small changes in response can lead to big changes in outcome
- Pivoting from No – vain persistence versus constructive progress
- Interruptions – how they happen and how to deal with them
- Mind drift and recovery
- How to listen to angry bosses and co-workers to diffuse
- How to listen to introverts
- Self-talk and listening
- Breathing exercises to improve listening
- Designing your listening improvement plan
Mr. Nickerson brings not just the study of his topics, but 30 years of experience as an executive and lawyer in large corporations, law firms and start-up enterprises practicing and honing his techniques to promote progress in workplace environments. He is President and CFO of PDS Tech, Inc., a position he has held for more than 12 years, as well as the author of 5 books, including his most recent publication, Listening as a Martial Art. With $400 million in annual sales, PDS is one of the largest engineering and IT staffing firms in the United States, employing over 10,000 people annually and serving most every major aerospace firm in the world. An avid, life time martial artist, Cash holds a 3rd degree black belt in American Kenpo Karate, a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and is a Certified Systema (the Russian Martial Art) Instructor.
In connection with his writings and experience, Cash has been featured in numerous periodicals such as USA Today, and has interviewed with dozens of television and radio shows nationwide.