The Impact of Active Listening on Team Collaboration.

I have a confession...

?I'm not the best listener, but I'm committed to improving! Years ago, when managing a ballroom in Chicago, my boss critiqued me for understaffing an event. As he spoke, I was already thinking of my rebuttal—call-offs, a shortage of servers, and so on. He noticed I wasn't fully listening and called me out, which became a pivotal learning experience for me.

?Since then, I've been working on my listening skills, learning to pause, reflect, and engage more thoughtfully. How about you? Do you consider yourself an active listener, or do you find your mind racing to the finish line during conversations?

The Impact of Listening

Listening is really important in communication. It's not just about responding when someone talks to you but really making an effort to understand. The way our team communicates has a big impact on our company's culture.

Interrupting or passive listening can unintentionally devalue your team's opinions, possibly causing them to withdraw completely. This week, let's challenge ourselves to be fully present. If you catch yourself interrupting on a Zoom call, apologize and let others finish their thoughts.

?5 Tips To Become A More Active Listener

1. Pauses are okay. Wait for others to finish speaking without interrupting. ?
2. Stay engaged. Be present in conversations and show your team that you value their opinions, ideas, and feedback. ?
3. Reflect before you respond. After someone has finished speaking, take a moment to process what they've said before responding. This can help ensure that your response is thoughtful and relevant. ?
4. Ask Questions. Don't be afraid to ask clarifying questions. This not only shows that you're listening but also helps deepen your understanding of the topic. ?
5. Avoid Distractions. When engaging in a conversation, minimize distractions by putting away your phone, closing your other tabs, and focusing on the speaker.

Commit to Growth

As leaders, our actions speak volumes. By listening intently, we show respect, foster learning, and encourage open communication. If you slip up, it's okay—apologize and refocus. Your team's voice is as important as your own.

Let's make a pact to improve our listening skills together. Share your experiences and strategies with me. Together, we can build a culture where every voice is heard and valued.

?Cheers to Better Workdays!?

Cheers to becoming better listeners and being fearless in admitting the areas we need to grow in.?

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