Active Listening in the Workplace

What’s the one thing that could enhance all our lives? No, it isn’t money. I mean, that wouldn’t hurt, sure, but it’s not the most important thing. What is even more important is the skill of active listening.

What is active listening?

We all know how to listen. We do it every day. So then what does it mean to listen actively? Active listening is a life skill acquired by practising self-awareness and mindfulness. It can help you build strong relationships and draw out information that you may, ordinarily, not be able to gain. It is listening with intention and genuine curiosity, providing the person you are listening to with the opportunity to say what they need to say, and what they mean. This is done by listening without interrupting them to give advice or your opinion.

Instead, you maintain eye contact and paraphrase what they have said back to them to indicate that you have listened to them and understood what they have said. This shows them that you are not preoccupied with other thoughts or with your interpretation of what they are saying. This makes them feel heard and valued.

Why is active listening important in the workplace?

Applying active listening is beneficial in the workplace because it improves working relationships, the understanding of tasks, and professional and personal growth.

Here are a few benefits of applying active listening in the workplace:

Increased productivity - When employees feel more comfortable voicing their ideas and opinions, with both employers and fellow employees, they become more productive, focused, and energised. Fewer misunderstandings mean less “do-over” work.

Building rapport and trust - Active listening helps your fellow employees feel comfortable sharing information with you. When you understand and engage in active listening in your communication with each other, this can result in significant collaborative work and efficiency in the workplace.

Identifying and solving problems - As an employer, active listening will help you detect challenges and difficulties that your employees are facing. Therefore, you will be able to spot these issues sooner and help find an effective solution. The same can be said for employees, as they will be more likely to identify and solve problems within their teams – solving issues before they even need to be escalated: A dream come true for any manager or employer.

Increased understanding - By engaging in active listening, you are more likely to retain information and understand the nature of tasks, thus making your solutions more relevant and effective.

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