Active Listening at Work with Cville SHRM

Communication problems abound. The number one complaint from leaders and managers is “poor communication.” Today, effective communication is more important than ever, and developing active listening skills is a necessity in all aspects of one’s professional and personal life. You can learn to be a better active listener.

Active listening is a skill that anyone can develop with practice. Active listening is a fundamental interpersonal communication skill that helps leaders, administrators, and managers be better communicators and problem solvers. It helps you truly understand what people are saying in conversations and meetings (and not just what you want to hear, or think you hear).

Active listening is also a particularly useful tool to use during job interviews, since it can help you build positive rapport with your interviewer. When you practice active listening, you make the other person feel heard and valued. It's a solid foundation for any successful conversation in any setting, whether at work, at home, or in social situations.

Presenter: Courtney Valladares, UVA Foundation

Courtney Valladares has a Master's Degree in Communication studies and for the past 17 years has taught at a variety of colleges, including Pepperdine University. She currently teaches at PVCC, which allows her to continue to share her passion for public speaking. In addition, Courtney has been working for the past 8 years in Human Resources and she recently accepted the new role of HR manager with the UVA Foundation. Courtney lives in Charlottesville, VA with her son, Liam, who is her joy.


In partnership with the Chamber, Cville SHRM (Charlottesville Society of Human Resource Management) presents Human Resources workshops by SHRM certified presenters. These free workshops aim to educate small businesses about best practices in HR management.