The corporate world presents increasingly dynamic and collaborative activities, where the ability toto know how to listenit is essential for those who wish to maintain successful leadership. Although communication is often associated with speech, active listening allows a high-performance team to be led by managers who better understand the needs, challenges and ideas presented by the employees
Active listening in leadership
The activity ofto know how to listenis not limited topay attention to 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 retaliation from superiors. Generally, leaders who know how to listen share feelings like empathy, respect and commitment to business growth
Benefits of knowing how to listen
When leaders are willing to listen to their collaborators, team members feel more confident and valued, strengthening the relationship between them. Furthermore, many ideas can arise from 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 to accurately identify what the true causes behind them are. Active listening facilitates the search for solutions
The participation of the employee is encouraged by those who know how to listen, creating motivation in those who are part of the business. The activity benefits decision-making among leaders, that have more perspectives on the team, generating more confidence and assertiveness in the choice of which path to take
How to develop the skill
Improving the ability to listen requires continuous improvement and a lot of dedication. It is necessary to be fully present during the conversation, avoiding distractions such as using a mobile phone or parallel activities
Asking questions also encourages the ability to listen, because the leader shows real interest in the information provided by the collaborator. Furthermore, asking for clarification encourages dialogue
However, interrupting speech can be considered a noise in communication for those who practice active listening. It is extremely important to give the other person space to finish their reasoning before taking the floor
Leaders who master the art of listening tend to create more productive teams, engaged and sustainable. This skill further strengthens the organizational culture by promoting a healthy work environment, inclusive and more collaborative
In a scenario where competition is fierce and adaptation is a constant necessity, practicing active listening will be the differentiator that transforms teams while defining leaders as true agents of change in the business
