A World Without Racism Listens
What other ways do you spread listening at work? Please click here to share your ideas.
Listening
Work
Listening is something that is important in all areas of our life, and our workplace is no different. Active listening within a workplace can enrich relationships, improve productivity, and raise our mood. Interestingly, studies show that the average person only listens with about a 25% efficiency, although when asked most people state that they have above-average listening skills.
With just a few adjustments to your listening tactics, you can become an active listener and reap all of the benefits it offers. Within a workplace these are some of the benefits you may see:
Listening
Work
A deepening of your relationships. It makes sense that communication strengthens our relationships, and this is something that is transferable to our work environment as well. When you actively listen and make sure to comprehend what is being said, the outcome will be you having happier, better relationships with other people. You need to make sure though to take a step back and to be present in the moment. Resist the urge to think about what you will reply, and instead let the person fully finish speaking before drawing a conclusion about that person’s meaning. When you do so, the speaker will notice this and appreciate it, as a result trusting you.
Listening
Work
Workplace productivity is another benefit that is reaped with improved listening skills. The reason being so is that when an employer fails to really listen to the employees, there is a risk of losing the employees. When employees feel like they aren’t being listened to, they are more likely to seek other opportunities and not enjoy their workforce. As such, the retention rate drops. In addition to this, active listening also improves the actual rate of performance. This is the case due to the fact that the workers feel comfortable, and feel like they are able to voice their opinions that they otherwise wouldn’t have, but those ideas can turn out to be wonderful additions or suggestions. When there is active listening going on, workers are more focused and less prone to misunderstanding which means there are fewer redos that need to be done and fewer mistakes that need to be fixed.
Listening
Work
Similarly, when there is active listening going on, there are personal benefits that take place as well. One of these is self-empowerment. Active listening reduces stress because you are focused on listening and being present in the moment instead of trying to “multitask” and listening to the person in addition to being in your own personal thoughts and encompassed by your worries. In addition to this, confidence is built. When the speaker feels like (s)he can be open and honest at expressing themselves, and that they are being actually listened to and understood, they are more willing to trust the listener. On the other side of the deal, the listener gets to collect different perspectives and expands their horizons.
Listening
Work
As you can see even by just several examples active listening can be very beneficial in a workplace environment. When everyone within the company feels like they can be open, and that they are being listened to and not judged, then a lot of good opportunities become the outcome.
What other ways do you spread listening at work? Please click here to share your ideas, we’d all love to learn more ways to spread listening! Listen. Take care and stay connected.
