Listening Skill

The Civics Credentialing System provides a system of credentials that represent pro-democracy commitments, education, actions, and recognition.

Scope

Receiving a Listening Skill badge means that participants have completed a training/course that teaches the principles and best practices of listening, with emphasis on empathy and curiosity as core components of listening. Listening strengthens relationships and one’s ability to collaborate, lead, and bridge understanding across divides.

Requirements

Any training/course endorsed by the Bridging Divides Badging & Microcredential Program for the Listening Skill meets the minimum requirements outlined here.

• Curriculum covers empathy and curiosity as core components.
• Learners have at least one opportunity to assess current skills, and identify how to progress in the skills.
• Learners have at least one opportunity to practice skills with others and reflect on the experience.
• Curriculum includes a partially connected evidence based source relevant to the skills.

Assessment

All trainings/courses endorsed for the Listening Skill have been assessed by the Bridging Divides Badging & Microcredential Program team to meet these minimum requirements.

Individual learner assessments may be required by the organization offering a specific training/course.

Learners will be required to complete a pre/post survey that assesses change in attitudes related to different dimensions of social cohesion.

Maintenance

Our ability to build bridges is not innate. It takes time and dedication to cultivate these skills.

Learners are encouraged to take multiple trainings and earn all three Skill badges: Listening, Dialogue, and Collaboration.

This will award learners a Bridging Divides Microcredential.

About the Bridging Divides Badging & Microcredential Program

The Bridging Divides Badging & Microcredential Program is stewarded and endorsed by the Bridging Movement Collaborative, a collective leadership effort of the Listen First Coalition to erase toxic division from our civic culture while building productive civic engagement. It is also endorsed by Bridge Alliance and the National Coalition of Dialogue and Deliberation. The program provides a pathway for learners to acquire the skills needed to be an effective bridge builder in their home, workplace, and community spaces. Explore more about the program here.