How can you improve team creativity through active listening?

Active listening is an art. Listen to understand and gain clarity. While you listen, focus is key to create and build human connection and rapport. When we are able to do so, it generates trust and credibility that stems out with respect between one another.

Imagine a brainstorming session where team members freely share ideas. Active listening, in this context, involves truly engaging with each idea, showing genuine interest, and refraining from immediate judgment. This creates an atmosphere where team members feel heard and valued. As trust builds, individuals become more willing to share innovative thoughts, fostering a collaborative and creative environment. The foundation of trust allows for open communication and a sense of psychological safety, essential components for a team to unleash its full creative potential in the workplace.

Active listening is contagious. When leaders embrace this skill, it ripples through the team, creating a positive and supportive vibe. Trust encourages individuals to express ideas openly, sans the fear of judgment. When team members feel secure, the floodgates of creativity open. It’s a two-way street; as you listen attentively, you signal that every voice matters, laying the foundation for a vibrant, idea-rich culture.

Consider a scenario where a team comprises members with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Embracing diversity actively involves listening to each team member's perspective without preconceived notions. By fostering a culture of active listening, you create a space where team members feel respected and understood. This not only mitigates potential conflicts but also harnesses the collective strength of varied skills and perspectives. In real life, teams that actively embrace diversity through active listening often find themselves better equipped to tackle complex challenges, leading to more creative and effective solutions.

Imagine a brainstorming session where curiosity drives the exploration of new ideas. Active listening, in this context, involves asking open-ended questions that encourage team members to share their thoughts freely. By avoiding interruptions and allowing each member to express themselves fully, you create a space for curiosity to thrive. This approach not only unlocks hidden potential but also stimulates a collaborative and creative atmosphere where team members feel empowered to challenge assumptions and explore innovative possibilities. In real life, teams that actively cultivate curiosity through active listening often find themselves at the forefront of creative problem-solving and innovation.

O maior desafio é gerar uma cultura de feedback contínuo. Os benefícios do alinhamento recorrente s?o muitos, mas muitas vezes subjetivos e a longo prazo, desta forma, pode ser difícil engajar todos da empresa. Existem 3 principais formas de criar essa cultura: Mesclar feedbacks positivos e negativos pode ser uma saída, afinal, nenhum colaborador vai se engajar se só receber críticas, n?o é mesmo? Além disso, propor solu??es construtivas quando o assunto é mais negativo, ajuda a motivar a busca por desenvolvimento pessoal.

When it comes to active listening, I like to use this question "How do you feel?", rather than "What do you think?" . By asking "How do you feel?", I want my team members to know that I care about their feeling. Also, by asking "How do you feel?", it is a better way to unlock the truth and honest feedback from the team.

Uma coisa importante de se ter em mente é que a criatividade n?o é uma habilidade que se expressa igualmente em todas as pessoas. O que quero dizer é que, em um time, você pode encontrar pessoas que têm uma facilidade enorme em gerar muitas ideias, que podem nem sempre vir totalmente prontas, enquanto outras pessoas podem ser ótimas lapidando essas ideias, e outras podem conseguir unir distintos pontos de vista ou ideias. O que quero dizer é que a criatividade pode ser expressada de diferentes maneiras e para você conseguir entender onde cada pessoa é criativa, é importante que você a ou?a, a veja, a perceba verdadeiramente.