I can’t overstate how important Otto Scharmer’s Four Levels of Listening are to my work and my life. They infuse everything I do professionally and personally, and I go deep on these principles with all of my coaching clients.

Watch an 8-minute introductory video from Otto Scharmer

Every conversation involves listening. Or, at least, something that resembles listening. Scharmer estimates that 90% of listening happens only at the first level.

Otto Scharmer’s Four Levels of Listening

  1. Downloading… unconscious listening… auto-pilot

  2. Factual… awareness… questioning assumptions and noticing differences

  3. Empathic… connection… focusing on the speaker’s point of view

  4. Generative… possibility… future innovation

Different situations call for different types of listening. Different types of listening can be associated with different types of breathing and physical presence. 

This is a big topic and subtle art with endless personal applications. It’s fascinating, powerful, and effective. I can’t wait to share it with you through whatever way we work together.