Listen Up

If the idea of “Hear no evil; See no evil; Speak no evil” is an applicable description of your organization’s communication and leadership strategy, then listen up!

What is the office buzz telling you about your organization?  Maybe all you hear are the groans associated with the strategy of budget tightening.  Not surprising, this has become an all to common cry in both the public and private sectors.

Those leaner and meaner organizations, which have weathered these uncertain times, have often done so with fewer staff and less resources.  Expectations for employee productivity and growth remain high as the hopes that more profitable times will soon emerge.  Not surprisingly, in this environment recent employee surveys report lower job satisfaction and higher stress levels.  In addition to the burgeoning workloads, employees cite that lack of communication and listening is contributing greatly to this satisfaction rating.

For organizations that spend countless hours and a great deal of resources in developing their organizational culture and communications, such reports can be especially frustrating.  The good news is that employee loyalty and satisfaction may in fact be restored or at least stabilized if managers and staff simply learn to listen.

A simple and fundamental skill, listening is an often overlooked yet extremely powerful communication tool.  Listening is an effective way to learn what people value.  When times are difficult, the discipline of effective communication becomes even more essential and listening is the key.¹  Not surprising, when employees and management listen to each other, it results in appreciation, trust, and respect.  In addition, organizations that are able to foster this skill internally can more often effectively reach beyond their own walls to gauge the values of customers and other external stakeholders.

The listening skills of your organization can make a vital difference and deliver tremendous benefits.  Investment in fostering win-win communications will generate a positive organizational environment.   When listening occurs, ideas can grow and problems can be more easily resolved.

Listening well is a skill that requires practice.  As a leader you must learn, model, and teach this skill to your team and your organization.  To promote listening consider adding the following three essential ingredients to your organization and leadership listening style²:

Self-awareness.  Awareness is the foundation to moving beyond differences.  Leaders and their teams should be aware of their own thinking and the biases it contains in order to keep from seeing and using the differences effectively.

Open-minded.  An open mind is essential for leaders to effectively use the unique knowledge each person brings to the job.  Listening without judgment will allow an open mind to capture true innovation.

Inquiry Seeking.  A skill necessary for an open mind.  Sounds simple enough, but be sure to probe for the right reasons.  Inquiry conducted with a genuine interest in learning how a team member thinks, demonstrates respect.

Remember that effective listening can make all the difference.  Put these skills into practice and you will hear the results!

Alyson Getty Cole specializes in human capital strategy and workforce development initiatives for THE HILL GROUP. For more information about preparing your organization to meet the challenges of your workforce, contact Alyson at 412.343.9393 or via email at acole@hillgroupinc.com.

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¹ Hesselbein, Frances.  “The Art of Listening” Leader to Leader. 29 (Summer 2003): 4-6.

² Bauck, Paul, “Listening skills needed in diverse workplace” American Business Journals, May 25, 1998.

These materials have been prepared for educational and information purposes only. They are not consulting advice or opinions on any specific matters. Transmission of the information is not intended to create, and receipt does not constitute, a consultant-client relationship between The Hill Group, Inc. and any recipient of this material. Readers should not act upon this information without seeking professional advice.