The importance of being a good listener as a manager or leader
Listening is an essential skill for any leader or manager. If you want to be successful, it’s important to learn how to listen and truly understand what others are actually saying. In this article, you’ll learn how to become a better listener and thus a better leader.
Some benefits of being a good listener as a leader include improved communication and stronger relationships, the ability to glean important information that could impact decisions, and increased trust and respect from others.
Additionally, being a good listener can help leaders better understand the perspective of their team members and provide more effective guidance and direction. It can also help prevent costly mistakes and improve the overall effectiveness of the organization.
People also simply appreciate a good listener. You’ve probably experienced the annoyance of someone who you knew wasn’t really listening. Don’t be that person!
If you’re not a good listener, you may miss out on important information. This can be detrimental to your ability to effectively manage or lead others.
It can even cost you money as you fail to accomplish tasks or miss critical details on projects. If someone said, “I’m going to be out all next week on vacation,” but you plan an event that requires their facilitation, you’re in for a world of hurt.
Effective managers are good listeners. Plain and simple.
Four tips for becoming a better listener
Practice focused listening.
When you’re focused on what the other person is saying, it becomes easier to understand them and build trust. In order to be an effective manager or leader, you must be able to listen attentively and without judgement. This means being present in the moment and focusing on what the other person is saying, without evaluating or critiquing it.
Only by truly listening can you hope to understand what others are trying to communicate, and only then can you begin to provide the guidance and direction they need.
Pay attention to body language.
People communicate through body language than through words alone. Watch for facial expressions, posture, and movements to get a better understanding of what the other person is really saying.
Listen actively rather than passively.
It’s not enough to just wait for the other person to finish speaking; you need to actively engage with them by asking open-ended questions and clarifying their thoughts.
This way, you can ensure that you’re both on the same page and that you understand their perspective. Not only will this make you a better listener, but it’ll also make you a better manager or leader.
Strive for understanding the person’s inner motivation, the “why” behind what they’re doing. Don’t just listen for data!
Take notes if necessary.
If something significant comes up during a conversation, make sure to jot down some notes so that you can properly reflect on what was said later on. By taking careful note of everything that’s been said, you’ll be able to improve your listening skills for future interactions as well.
One caveat to this last point: tell the person you’re meeting that you’re taking notes and why. For instance, you can say, “I’m just going to jot down some of your suggestions. They’re really valuable and I don’t want to forget them.” Otherwise, it can be easy for people to think you’re just texting or responding to emails.
How to become a better listener – three more essential tips and tricks
Pay attention to the other person.
Try not to allow yourself to be distracted or take notes in the middle of their speech, unless you make clear why you’re doing so (see above). Instead, try to focus on what they are saying, and nod your head if you understand.
Mimic the other person’s body language.
If they lean forward, do the same; if they cross their arms, do the same. This will help you get a better sense of how they are feeling and what they are trying to say. Studies have shown that people naturally like someone who is mirroring their body language. Don’t let this become manipulative, though!
Practice makes perfect.
Don’t be afraid to practice being a better listener by listening to audiobooks or podcasts about communication skills or listening exercises specifically designed for this purpose. The more practice you have, the easier it will become!
You can also ask for candid feedback from your direct reports. In check-ins, you can ask them, “When is a recent time when you felt like I wasn’t listening to you?”
The benefits of being a good listener in one-on-one meetings with direct reports
When you are a good listener in one-on-one meetings with your direct reports, you’ll see a great deal of improvement in your leadership.
When you’re a better listener, you reap all sorts of benefits – improved communication and collaboration, better understanding of the situation, and increased trust between you and your direct report.
Just by making a conscious effort to be a better listener, you can make a world of difference in your professional relationships.
When you’re able to really listen to what someone is saying, it builds trust and creates an open communication channel. Listening also shows that you respect the other person and value their input.
Good listening skills can help you resolve conflicts, build relationships, and improve team morale.
Plus, being a good listener shows that you respect the other person and value their input. All of this can lead to more productive one-on-one meetings with your direct reports.
Some final leadership listening pitfalls to avoid
We’ve gone over the benefits to becoming a better listener and some practical tips. But what should you avoid in this journey to improve your leadership by becoming a better listener?
Don’t become a data-focused listener.
Are you focused only on the surface level of what people say? Don’t allow yourself to just hear the “what,” “when,” and “how” of the conversation. Listen for the inner motivations and the emotions of your direct report. Try to focus on both the content of the conversation as well as the speaker’s emotions and feelings.
Don’t jump to conclusions.
Don’t react immediately to what the other person says. Allow them time to explain their point of view. Let them have their say without interruption or criticism.
Even if you feel like you need to correct a direct report, begin first with probing, open-ended questions. Eventually you can move to correction, but really hear them out first.
Don’t think you’ve arrived.
Becoming a better listener is a lifelong journey. Don’t think that you’ve arrived and no longer need to improve. Seek honest, regular feedback from those you supervise and even people who work outside your department but whom you regularly interact with.
If you’re ever not sure whether someone has been listening attentively, ask them how they think you performed in that particular conversation. They may be surprised by your honest feedback!
Don’t fall back into old ruts.
It can be easy to do what’s easy. If you default to daydreaming when you’re doing check-ins with your direct reports, be aware of that and keep yourself from falling into those bad habits again.
Listening skills don’t come overnight – take some time every day to focus on improving your ability to listen attentively. This will make a significant difference in your communication and relationship abilities overall!
Conclusion
In conclusion, developing your listening skills as a manager or leader is crucial for effective communication and building strong relationships.
By practicing focused listening, paying attention to body language, listening actively, and taking notes, you can improve your listening skills and become a better leader.
Remember to also pay attention to the other person, mimic their body language, and practice regularly in order to become a truly effective listener.
With these tips and tricks, you can master the art of listening and become a better manager or leader.