How do we truly listen to one another—and how can we help others do the same? For Collaborative Discussion Project (CDP) Visiting Fellow Dr. John Igwebuike, listening is more than paying attention: it’s a dynamic, embodied, and intentional act of connection.
As part of his Fellowship, John is exploring how we can deepen our understanding of listening—not just as a communication skill, but as a collaborative practice that can spark better conversations, stronger relationships, and more inclusive communities. Whether it’s in the workplace, around the kitchen table, or in civic life, “Listening is a prerequisite—it’s a means through which we can foster deeper discussions.”
“I appreciate that there’s this awareness at IF on the importance of listening as a way to foster and facilitate deeper dialogue and deeper discussions in the collaborative context.” – John
John first discovered the Interactivity Foundation when a flyer led him to the website. That quickly led to enrolment in Collaborative Discussion Coach Training and then collaborating with IF as part of the Guanacaste Transformational Listening Conference, which John founded. “I’ve been appreciative with respect to IF,” he says, “because they’re providing these amazing tools for collaboration.”
As a CDP Visiting Fellow, John is developing new activities for the free Collaborative Discussion Toolkit—resources that will support people in listening, practicing, and reflecting on collaboration through dialogue.
CDP Manager, Eric Schmucker, points out that John’s work helps fill an essential need: “A lot of the CDP Toolkit focuses on curiosity, asking good questions, and so on. But asking a good question isn’t enough: can you really listen to what someone says?”
“Listening breaks down walls—between people, and also within yourself. It requires a mindset. John’s work challenges the idea that listening is automatic. He’s bringing it into focus as a skill that underpins all dialogue.” – Eric Schmucker
One activity John is piloting is a structured small-group activity where participants rotate between the roles of speaker, listener, and observer—sometimes known as “3-2-1” or “Uno, dos, tres.” With each round, prompts guide the group into increasingly meaningful conversation. It helps participants pay attention to not just what is being said, but also how it feels to speak, to listen, and to watch dialogue unfold.
“We’re not just speaking or listening—we’re observing ourselves and the environment, too,” explains John. “It gives participants the opportunity to see that we’re engaged in multiple dynamic roles, even during quiet moments.”
A second activity is a listening-themed icebreaker, based on a kind of “listening bingo.” Participants respond to a set of prompts, then engage in dialogue with others to find points of connection, reflect on their listening habits, and explore what it means to listen actively and with care.
“I do a lot of work in the area of just trying to animate the importance of effective listening.” – John
Together, the tools John has been developing encourage us to think differently about what it means to collaborate—not just through sharing ideas and viewpoints, but also through presence and attention. And after all, as Eric points out: “without listening, dialogue is monologue”.
Are you curious to experience these tools in action? Join John in a workshop on July 10. Register to attend:
Workshop: Listening to Improve Collaboration with Dr. John Igwebuike
Time: July 10, 2025 @ 2:00 pm – July 10, 2025 @ 4:00 pm
Cost: $40.00
Your Invitation to Collaborate
The Collaborative Discussion Toolkit is free and accessible to anyone interested in promoting inclusive, thoughtful dialogue. If you’d like to learn more about hosting a workshop or specialty Certificate Program, reach out to us.
👉 Start using the free Collaborative Discussion Toolkit
👉 Join a free webinar for an Introduction to the Toolkit, or a workshop to deepen your skills
👉 Attend this year’s online CDP summer training in September to become a CDP Coach and deliver customized certificate programs
👉 Contact us for support running a workshop for your team or group
👉 Subscribe to the Collaborative Discussion Project newsletter for Toolkit activities, tips and tricks every Monday
👉 Donate to the Interactivity Foundation to keep supporting valuable dialogue work and programs
