Building mutual trust with subordinates
According to Psychology Today, listening is the foundation of meaningful conversation. And meaningful, regular and long-term conversation is in turn the foundation of mutual trust and respect. Listening to subordinates during interactions leads to better relations at the workplace.
Understanding employees' individual needs
If a manager is unable or unwilling to listen to subordinates, they will never be able to understand their priorities and needs. Then they will be incapable of supporting their professional development or education.
Receiving feedback and valuable ideas
A team leader should actively seek ongoing feedback from subordinates. This is impossible without active and effective listening. Furthermore, if a manager is incapable of listening to their employees, they miss out on many valuable ideas and suggestions.
How to listen better
How can you improve your listening skills in practice?
- Put away your mobile phone. During conversations with subordinates or colleagues, give them your full attention. Set aside your phone and other mobile devices, at least for the duration of the discussion.
- Ask follow-up questions. Show that you are actively listening by asking clarifying or supplementary questions.
- Remember key points from previous conversations. For example, if one day you discuss an important matter with a subordinate, then the next day evidently have no recollection of it, you send a message that you were not actually listening in the first place.
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