๐How Well Do You Listen at Work?
Jul 05, 2023
๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ฐ๐๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐๐จ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ ๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ง ๐๐ญ ๐ฐ๐จ๐ซ๐ค?
Unfortunately, most people do not listen at a very deep level. Listening is not passive, it is active, and the absence of active listening is common at work.
Judith Glaser, the author of ๐๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ท๐ฆ๐ณ๐ด๐ข๐ต๐ช๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ข๐ญ ๐๐ฏ๐ต๐ฆ๐ญ๐ญ๐ช๐จ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ค๐ฆ: ๐๐ฐ๐ธ ๐๐ณ๐ฆ๐ข๐ต ๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ณ๐ด ๐๐ถ๐ช๐ญ๐ฅ ๐๐ณ๐ถ๐ด๐ต ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐๐ฆ๐ต ๐๐น๐ต๐ณ๐ข๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฅ๐ช๐ฏ๐ข๐ณ๐บ ๐๐ฆ๐ด๐ถ๐ญ๐ต๐ด, explains that leaders can create environments where people feel safe, connected, and ready for change simply by listening at a higher level.
According to Glaser, there are three main stages of listening.
๐๐ก๐๐ง ๐ฐ๐ ๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ง ๐๐ญ ๐๐๐ฏ๐๐ฅ 1, our awareness is on ourselves. We ask: What does this mean to me? We have a strong desire for answers, information, and details. Level 1 is the level most people listen at.
๐๐ก๐๐ง ๐ฐ๐ ๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ง ๐๐ญ ๐๐๐ฏ๐๐ฅ 2, our awareness is on the person. We listen for words, emotions, and expressions. Level 2 listening demonstrates you have time for the conversation.
๐๐ก๐๐ง ๐ฐ๐ ๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ง ๐๐ญ ๐ฅ๐๐ฏ๐๐ฅ 3, we demonstrate global listening. We’re in it together with the other person. We use our intuition to guide the conversation and monitor how the person or room changes in response to what we’re saying. Level 3 is the highest level of listening.
To improve your listening skills, or when coaching people on your team:
โ๏ธBe present – make eye contact and mentally screen out background distractions.
โ๏ธKeep an open mind – listen without judgment or jumping to conclusions.
โ๏ธParaphrase what you heard – and then ask clarifying questions to ensure understanding.
โ๏ธPay attention to what isn’t said – the nonverbal cues such as body language and tone of voice.
โ๏ธConclude with a summary statement – to ensure agreement and accurate follow-through.
When introducing organizational change, whether it’s a new digital tool, process, or team structure, leaders who listen actively to the needs and concerns of their teams can accelerate the internal process people must go through before they accept, then adopt and sustain the new ways of working that are required for a change to be a success.
Stay connected with news and updates!
Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.
Don't worry, your information will not be shared.
We hate SPAM. We will never sell your information, for any reason.
