By Michael W. Hill, Mobius Vendor Partners Executive Consultant, Author of Measuring to Manage
Why is it so hard to listen? One reason might be that our minds are elsewhere. We may be thinking about how we can get the speaker to change their mind. We might be distracted, thinking of other topics than the one the person talking is talking about. Instead of fully listening our minds are racing ahead to think of what we want to say.
All the above are just excuses, and that is a shame. When you listen attentively, chances are you will learn something. You might even hear an exceptional story.
You have heard it over and over, the majority of workers 80+% feel disengaged in the workplace. One of the commonly cited issues that leads to this engagement is the employee’s complaint that their employer is not listening to them.
How can listening to your employees help your company? Genuine listening improves the employee experience, builds relationships, boosts workplace morale, resolves conflicts, helps develop self-reliant employees, keeps friendships, and can help make a career, and it helps with overall employee retention. And you’re investing in your most valuable asset, your human capital.
Listening is a skill, and the good news is that, like any skill, you can increase your competency with a bit of practice. Here are some different strategies you can use to be a better listener:
- Listen without judgment of criticism. As soon as you start judging the other person, you become a less effective listener.
- Face the speaker and maintain eye contact.
- Don’t interrupt. Ask questions for clarification or understanding.
- Always ask more questions.
The most successful people I know are good listeners, they ask questions and are always interested in what others have to say. Your employees are your company’s closest contact to your customers and to the day-to-day activities of your company. Shouldn’t you be listening to what they have to say?
In conclusion go back to the title of this article: “Do your employees feel that you are listening to them.”
How do you know when you are meeting your employees’ desire to be listened to? You need to ask them. Do not assume you know what they are thinking or feeling.
You probably noticed that I point out that you need to ask your employees for their input. Maybe a survey would help? You might be making some assumptions that are just not correct! Get your employees involved! Become known as a company that listens to your employees. Listening is so important and not listening may be affecting your employees more than you think. They may currently be looking for employment elsewhere because they have ideas that they want to share so they will find a company that will listen.
You may want our help.
At Mobius’ Employee Experience – EX Consulting Employee Experience – Mobius Vendor Partners (mobiusvp.com) – we have the software to survey your employees so you can make the best decisions for your company and respond to your employees’ needs. Contact us to get started.
Mike’s book: Measuring to Manage is available on Amazon.
