Did you know that active listening is considered a top skill vital for career success? That’s according to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2023. Effective communication is the cornerstone of leadership success. Leaders who master the art of communication are often associated with articulating a compelling vision, inspiring team members and speaking effectively in public. Yet, one often overlooked communication skill is active listening.
The term active listening was first coined in 1957 by psychologists Carl Rogers and Richard Farson. This type of listening goes beyond simply hearing the spoken word. It’s a leadership skill that involves receiving and comprehending information, managing emotional reactions and communicating understanding verbally and nonverbally. When you practice active listening, you are fully immersed in what the other person is saying so that they feel valued and heard.
Active listening techniques can be learned over time. These benefits and tips will help you embrace the power of listening and sharpen your skills to become a better leader.
Benefits of active listening in the workplace
Research published in Frontiers in Psychology shows that organizations benefit from high-quality listening. Without high-quality listening, employees are reluctant to challenge the status quo and more likely to feel demotivated and disconnected. Let’s explore some additional benefits of active listening in the workplace.
Improves sense of job security
Given widespread layoffs, economic uncertainty and the rise of AI, it’s not surprising that many individuals are concerned about job security. When employees constantly live in fear of job loss, it takes a serious toll on their well-being. Over time, it becomes more difficult to remain engaged, productive and committed. That’s why active listening is a critical leadership skill. According to a Penn State study, when managers practice active listening, they can improve an employee’s sense of control over their career and reduce potential job loss anxiety. Ultimately, managers who provide their employees with a safe space to air their concerns allow workers to feel valued and empowered.
Boosts productivity
Active listening has the power to enhance productivity. For example, you can reduce confusion in meetings by ensuring that team members are heard. That way, everyone leaves the session with the same understanding of what was discussed and the next steps. Active listening also helps foster collaboration and creative problem-solving, which are linked to productivity and higher performance.
Helps resolve conflicts
When you practice active listening in the workplace, it allows you to understand the perspectives and feelings of others thoroughly. When people feel heard, they are less likely to become defensive or express anger at work. You also build rapport, which helps you defuse intense situations. As a result, you can see disagreements from the other person’s point of view, leading to peaceful resolutions.
Fosters healthy relationships
When leaders take the time to understand people’s challenges and concerns, they help build trust. Active listening creates a safe space to communicate openly and demonstrate empathy. Employees who feel valued and respected are more likely to voice concerns and share ideas. All of these elements contribute to a productive and inclusive company culture.
How to engage in active listening
Active listening techniques allow leaders to be fully present so their employees and coworkers feel understood. Several strategies enable you to stay positively engaged with your team.
Pay attention to nonverbal cues
The tone of voice, body language and other gestures can tell you a lot about what a speaker is trying to communicate. Some signals are so subtle that the person speaking may not even be consciously aware of them. For example, if you notice that someone continues to look down as they speak in front of a large group, they may be nervous or unprepared. Or, if you see a coworker clenching their fists as they tell you about their day, it can indicate frustration.
Maintain good eye contact
Maintaining healthy eye contact shows interest and engagement in what someone is saying. Rather than intensely staring, use a series of long glances. If you are speaking to multiple people simultaneously, look at each person to show interest. When you conduct virtual meetings, eye contact is just as important. In that case, look into the camera lens. That way, you establish trust and mimic the experience of being in the same room with attendees.
Ask open-ended questions
Instead of asking yes or no questions, open-ended questions keep the conversation going. It also signals that you are curious and interested in what the person is saying. Some examples of open-ended questions include:
- How do you think we should move forward?
- What alternative solutions do you have?
- Why do you think that approach works best?
- Can you go into more detail about that?
- If you could do it differently, how would you handle it?
Repeat or paraphrase the message
After the speaker shares their thoughts, reflect the message back by paraphrasing what you heard. This technique ensures that you accurately understand what they said. It also ensures that the speaker feels validated while avoiding any miscommunications. Here are a few examples:
- In other words, you’re saying that you’d prefer to start next week.
- I’m hearing that you feel angry about the situation.
- It sounds like you’d rather table this conversation for a later date.
- So, you need some guidance, and you’d like to meet later to discuss. Is that right?
- That’s difficult. You sound upset that you weren’t invited to the meeting.
The role of active listening in a remote setting
You don’t have to be face-to-face to be fully present during a conversation. Active listening is just as essential in a remote setting. Whether you’re connecting via phone or video, there are still ways to leverage active listening techniques to demonstrate engagement and interest. For example, you can pay attention to nonverbal cues and whether they match what the person is saying. Paraphrasing what you heard also works in virtual meetings where you want to confirm that you accurately captured their ideas and thoughts. Finally, during virtual calls, eliminate distractions so you can focus attentively. That way, the speaker feels genuinely heard and valued.
Why listening matters more than ever
Active listening is one of the most powerful tools a leader can possess. It’s also a skill that can be honed over time with effort and practice. By hearing what people are really saying, you foster healthy relationships, boost productivity and build trust in the workplace. You also position yourself as a leader who demonstrates respect, understanding and a willingness to make more informed decisions with the support of your team.