Chapter 2 - Understanding Power and Influence
What’s a Listening Session?
A listening session is a small gathering where business owners come together to share what they’re experiencing, what they care about, and what support or change they need. It's not a panel, webinar, or sales pitch — it's a space for real talk.
Listening sessions help build relationships, surface shared concerns, and create buy-in for future organizing. They’re a critical first step for identifying leaders, recruiting members, and shaping an advocacy agenda that reflects your community.
Build trust with and between business owners
Hear directly from those most impacted by the issue
Validate people’s experiences
Spot patterns in concerns, values, and ideas
Start planting seeds for action or campaigns
Goals of a Listening Session
Keep it small and intimate. 4–10 people is plenty for honest conversation.
Create safety. Open with a warm welcome, set ground rules, and make space for emotion.
Stay focused. Center one big issue or experience (e.g., access to capital, health care costs).
Don’t dominate. Your job is to listen, not lead or correct.
Close with care. Thank folks, name next steps, and invite future involvement.
Key Tips for a Strong Session
Welcome & purpose
Introductions
Prompt questions (see below)
Discussion
Share-back or themes
Next steps & thanks
Sample Questions
Simple Session Flow
“What keeps you up at night when it comes to your business?”
“What policy decisions are making things harder or easier?”
“What kind of support do you wish existed?”
“What would it look like for business owners to have more voice or power?”