What can you do to improve your team's listening skills and productivity?

1 Assess your team's listening level

The first step to improve your team's listening skills is to assess where they are now. You can use a simple tool like the Listening Skills Self-Assessment Questionnaire (LSSAQ) to measure how well your team members listen to others, express their ideas, and respond to feedback. The LSSAQ can help you identify the strengths and weaknesses of your team's listening habits, as well as the areas where they need to improve.

2 Establish clear goals and expectations

The second step to improve your team's listening skills is to establish clear goals and expectations for each project, task, or meeting. You should communicate the purpose, scope, and deliverables of your work, as well as the roles and responsibilities of each team member. You should also set some ground rules for how your team will communicate, such as using respectful language, asking open-ended questions, and avoiding interruptions. By setting clear goals and expectations, you can help your team focus on the relevant information, avoid misunderstandings, and achieve better results.

3 Provide regular feedback and coaching

The third step to improve your team's listening skills is to provide regular feedback and coaching. You should praise your team members for their good listening behaviors, such as paraphrasing, summarizing, and empathizing. You should also point out their bad listening behaviors, such as jumping to conclusions, making assumptions, or dominating the conversation. You should give constructive feedback that is specific, timely, and actionable. You should also coach your team members on how to improve their listening skills, such as by asking them to reflect on their listening experiences, practice active listening techniques, and seek feedback from others.

4 Create a supportive and inclusive environment

The fourth step to improve your team's listening skills is to create a supportive and inclusive environment. You should foster a culture of trust, respect, and openness among your team members. You should encourage your team members to share their opinions, perspectives, and experiences, as well as to listen to those of others. You should also promote diversity and inclusion in your team, by acknowledging and appreciating the different backgrounds, skills, and interests of your team members. By creating a supportive and inclusive environment, you can help your team members feel valued, engaged, and motivated.

6 Evaluate and celebrate your team's progress

The sixth and final step to improve your team's listening skills is to evaluate and celebrate your team's progress. You should monitor and measure your team's listening skills, by using tools like the LSSAQ, surveys, or feedback forms. You should also review and reflect on your team's listening experiences, by using methods like debriefing, after-action reviews, or lessons learned. You should also celebrate and reward your team's listening achievements, by using methods like recognition, appreciation, or incentives. By evaluating and celebrating your team's progress, you can help your team sustain and improve their listening skills over time.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?