Dustin Wood’s Class Hosts “One Small Step” Workshop
Conflict 
and communication breakdowns are often connected to poor listening. Perhaps this is unsurprising. Whether due to being distracted, jumping to conclusions, or thinking about how to respond to our interlocutor, many of us can struggle to be good listeners. Effective listening may prove especially challenging when we’re interacting with those who see the world differently from us. This is where StoryCorps comes in.
The mission of StoryCorps is to “help us believe in each other by illuminating the humanity and possibility in us all – one story at a time.” In pursuit of this end, StoryCorps launched One Small Step (OSS). OSS brings strangers with different political views together to have a conversation. These conversations are recorded and archived in the Library of Congress. The goals of OSS are to normalize conversations across difference, to foster a culture of curiosity, and to raise awareness that these sorts of conversations are possible.
Dr. Dustin Wood’s Business Communication class recently hosted Stephanie Glaros, Associate Director of One Small Step on Campus, for a two-day workshop. On the first day, students learned about active listening. Glaros discussed what it feels and looks like to listen for understanding and led the class in a deep listening exercise to help develop their active listening skills. After listening to OSS recordings, students discussed what facts, values, emotions, and relational information could be gleaned from the conversations. Day two of the workshop witnessed Wood’s students learning about purposeful sharing and pairing up with one another to further hone their listening and sharing skills. Classmates practiced meaningful engagement in real time through OSS conversations about their own life experiences.
Dr. Wood’s Business Communication class explores the strategies and practices of organizations. In doing so, Wood and his students consider the complexities of organizational life and the diverse approaches to leadership, communication, and navigating crisis and conflict in organizational contexts. The Garos-led workshop aimed to equip students for success in and outside of organizational settings. To learn more about OSS at Vanderbilt, click here.