Active listening for stronger connections • 3 min read
Research from the Society for Human Resource Management stated that "while most people are hired for their technical abilities, their soft skills (like listening and communication) give them career durability."
Makes sense when a whopping 85% of what we know, we’ve actually learned through listening.
Introduction
In today’s fast-paced world, your employees and teams are constantly bombarded with information. Amid this noise, it’s increasingly challenging for your workforce to take the time to genuinely listen to one another—to truly absorb and understand what is being said.
This article explores how fostering genuine listening within your organisation can strengthen working relationships by enabling your people to hear, understand, and respond to others' perspectives and concerns. When employees feel heard and valued, collaboration and engagement flourish.
Promote intentional listening
Your workforce often feels the pressure of tight deadlines or back-to-back meetings. However, it’s crucial to create moments where agendas are set aside, and team members are given the time and space to communicate openly.
Intentional listening is about more than just hearing words. It’s about understanding the meaning behind them. Encourage your managers and leaders to listen not simply to respond but to comprehend. This shift can make a significant difference in how your people connect with one another.
Foster active engagement
It’s common for people to listen selectively, hearing only what aligns with their assumptions or expectations. But true listening requires self-awareness and deliberate effort.
Passive listening—where someone listens without reacting—can create a disconnect. In contrast, active listening fosters trust and encourages more open communication. When leaders and managers actively listen, employees feel valued, which can significantly boost morale and productivity.
Prioritise speaker focus
Have you ever spoken to someone whose eyes are darting around the room as you talk? It can feel dismissive and frustrating.
Maintaining eye contact, removing distractions, and giving undivided attention signals respect and engagement. Encourage your leaders to turn away from their screens, face the speaker, and fully engage with their team members.
If a manager loses track of a conversation or needs clarification, it’s perfectly acceptable—and often appreciated—to admit it. Phrases like, “I didn’t quite catch that; could you repeat it?” or “Can you elaborate on that point?” can help ensure understanding while demonstrating genuine interest.
Additionally, some employees may struggle with attention or information processing, which can impact their listening abilities. By normalising open communication about these challenges, your organisation can create a more inclusive and empathetic environment. Leaders can set the tone by asking for patience or explaining their own listening challenges if necessary, ensuring everyone feels respected.
Key takeaways
Active listening means listening to understand and responding meaningfully, which helps employees feel valued and strengthens relationships.
Encourage leaders to set aside their own agendas and focus entirely on the speaker, using non-verbal cues like facing the person, maintaining eye contact, and nodding to show attentiveness.
Normalise open conversations about listening challenges, whether stemming from distractions, shyness, or processing difficulties, to avoid misunderstandings and foster trust.
Think big, act small
For your next team meeting, encourage your managers to close their laptops, resist multitasking, and focus entirely on their employees. By doing so, they can actively listen to not only what is being said but also how it’s being communicated—paying attention to pauses, shifts in tone, and moments of enthusiasm.
By embedding a culture of active listening in your organisation, you empower your workforce to build stronger connections, foster collaboration, and create an environment where every team member feels heard and valued.
Content sources
Drive, Daniel Pink
Forbes, 2020, Councils Member Experts Panel, ‘15 Ways That Leaders Can Sharpen Their Active Listening Skills’
Forbes, 2021, Ray Makela, ‘Four Behaviors To Make Active Listening Your Superpower In Sales’
Forbes, 2022, Heather Cherry, ‘How To Use The Power Of Active Listening To Boost Your Career Now’
Forbes, 2012, Dianne Schilling, ‘10 Steps To Effective Listening Forbes’
Harvard Business Review, 2016, Melissa Daimler, ‘Listening Is an Overlooked Leadership Tool’
Comments