Active listening - two ears, one mouth
The Problem Statement
Many conversations fail not because people don’t speak well, but because they don’t listen well. In business and leadership, the ability to actively listen can improve relationships, reduce misunderstandings, and foster trust. Yet, many people find themselves distracted, preparing their response before the speaker has even finished, or failing to acknowledge what was actually said.
HR Best Practice
To develop active listening in the workplace, consider these strategies:
Give Your Full Attention: Focus intently on the speaker, maintain appropriate eye contact, and use non-verbal cues (such as nodding) to show engagement.
Reflect and Paraphrase: Confirm understanding by summarising key points. Phrases like, “So if I’m hearing you correctly…” or “It sounds like you’re saying…” help clear up any misinterpretations.
Use Open-Ended Questions: Encourage deeper conversation with questions like, “Can you tell me more about that?” or “How do you feel about this situation?”
Practice Empathy: Try to understand the speaker’s emotions and perspective, building rapport and strengthening trust.
Resist the Urge to Interrupt: Withholding judgment and allowing the speaker to fully express their thoughts before formulating a response is crucial to meaningful communication.
Encourage Honest Feedback: In a leadership setting, active listening fosters an open, collaborative culture where employees feel heard and valued.
The Psychological Perspective
Effective listening isn’t just about processing words—it’s about connection. Here’s why active listening works:
People Want to Be Heard: Feeling understood fosters trust and stronger relationships.
Listening Reduces Conflict: Many workplace disagreements stem from misunderstandings that could have been avoided through better listening.
It Enhances Decision-Making: Leaders who actively listen gain more insights, leading to better-informed choices.
It Builds Engagement: Employees are more likely to be invested in their work when they feel their input is valued.
Red Flags to Watch For
If active listening is lacking in a workplace, you may notice:
Employees feeling disengaged or unheard.
Frequent miscommunications and unnecessary conflicts.
A culture where people talk over each other or dominate discussions.
Resistance to change or feedback due to lack of trust.
Conclusion
Active listening is a foundational skill that strengthens workplace culture, enhances relationships, and improves decision-making. In New Zealand’s business environment, where straightforward and honest communication is valued, developing strong listening skills is particularly important. By truly hearing others, we foster more meaningful and productive conversations—both professionally and personally.
No-one teaches this stuff, but at RegenerationHQ, we have the skills and capability to help you with this and a multitude of other small and large issues that can bedevil your business.