Managers: Want to build trust? Active listening is the key!

As a manager, it’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest strategies for leading your team. One such strategy is active listening. Active listening is a powerful tool that can help you build relationships with your team members and address any issues or concerns they may have. Here’s why you should consider adding active listening to your managerial repertoire. 

What Is Active Listening?
Active listening is a way of being present and attentive to what someone is saying, rather than passively hearing their words while thinking of something else. It involves taking in nonverbal cues, such as body language and facial expressions, as well as verbal cues like tone and word choice. When you actively listen to someone, you are engaging with them on an emotional level and offering empathy when appropriate.

Why Is Active Listening Important?
Active listening allows team members to feel heard and understood, which can help build trust among team members and create an environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas. It also helps managers identify issues that need addressing within the organization—if there’s something bothering one employee, chances are there are others in similar situations who haven’t spoken up yet. Finally, actively listening allows managers to respond quickly to feedback or problems before they become major obstacles that disrupt workflow.

How Can You Improve Your Active Listening Skills?
The best way to improve your active listening skills is simply by practice! Make sure to set aside time each week for one-on-one conversations with employees so that you can get a better understanding of what’s going on within the organization. Ask open-ended questions during these conversations so that employees can provide more in-depth answers; this will give you more insight into their thoughts and feelings about the company’s culture. Additionally, try your best not to interrupt when someone is speaking—it sends the message that what they have to say isn’t important or valued by you as a leader.

Active listening is crucial for any manager who wants to build trust and collaboration among their team. By taking the time to have regular conversations with employees, managers can nip any potential problems in the bud before they turn into bigger issues later on.

However, active listening is a skill that takes time and practice to master. With patience and persistence, though, anyone can become an effective listener—and an even better leader! If you want to brush up on your active listening skills, enrol in our 360 leadership confidence course today so that you can be even more effective at work tomorrow.