The corporate world presents increasingly dynamic and collaborative activities, where the ability to know how to listen although communication is often associated with speaking, active listening allows a high-performing team to be led by managers who better understand the needs, challenges, and ideas presented by employees.
Active listening in leadership
The activity of know how to listen it is not just summed up in pay attention in a dialogue. This involves text interpretation and the perception of the emotions behind the conversation, providing a healthier work environment, where employees are encouraged to express opinions without fear of suffering reprisals from superiors. Generally, leaders who know how to listen share feelings such as empathy, respect and commitment to business growth.
Benefits of knowing how to listen
When leaders are willing to listen to their employees, team members feel more confident and valued, strengthening the relationship between them. In addition, many ideas can arise from the open discussion, with chances of everyone participating in this process.
On the other hand, knowing how to listen also involves promoting innovation and resolving conflicts, since the activity allows us to accurately identify what the real causes behind them are. Active listening facilitates the search for solutions.
The participation of the employee is stimulated by those who know how to listen, creating motivation in those who are part of the business. The activity benefits the decision making among the leaders, who have more perspectives on the team, generating more confidence and assertiveness in choosing which way to follow.
How to develop the skill
Improving the knowledge of listening requires continuous improvement and a lot of dedication. It takes mindfulness during the conversation, avoiding distractions such as cell phone use or parallel activities.
Asking questions also stimulates the knowledge to listen, because the leader shows real interest in the information provided by the employee.In addition, asking for clarification encourages dialogue.
However, interrupting speech can be considered a communication noise for those who practice active listening. It is extremely important to make room for the other person to complete the reasoning before taking the floor.
Leaders who master the art of listening tend to create more productive, engaged and sustainable teams. This skill further strengthens organizational culture by promoting a healthy, inclusive and more collaborative work environment.
In a scenario where competition is fierce and adaptation is a constant need, practicing active listening will be the differential that transforms teams while defining leaders as true agents of change in the business.
