
Many a times hearing impairment can become a barrier to effective communication, an essential tool for passing feelings, attitudes and information about an individual. Other listening ingredients include body language, tone, facial expressions etc those that are non-verbal by nature. A recent study shows that the hearing impairment of one spouse in a romantic relationship can be a cause of depression to the other spouse. It’s one of the important ingredients for listening. Hearing, being one of the five human senses, contributes significantly to the mental health status of an individual. A loving silence often has far more power to heal and connect than the most well-intentioned words”- Rachel Naomi Remen.Īs social beings, hearing and listening are fundamental tools to keep us together and keep the socialization process lively and impactful. Perhaps the most important thing we ever give each other is our attention. LEADERS WHO DON’T LISTEN WILL EVENTUALLY BE SURROUNDED BY PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOTHING TO SAY.“The most basic and most powerful way to connect to another person is to listen. So, the next time you're conversing with one of your employees, remember to listen, not just hear. By really listening to your employees, you will gain valuable insights, create a positive workplace culture, and build trust and respect. The art of listening is an important skill which every leader must develop.

Additionally, try to be open-minded and avoid making assumptions or judgments early in the discussion. Ask questions to clarify their meaning and show that you're fully engaged in the conversation.

Put aside distractions, such as your phone and your laptop, and press in and focus on what they're saying.
LISTENING VS HEARING WADSWOETH FULL
So, how can we become better listeners? An easy way is to start by giving your full attention to the person speaking to you. Additionally, when your employees feel like they're not being heard, they're less likely to speak up in the future, which can limit your ability to make informed decisions. This can lead to misunderstandings, conflict, and low morale. On the other hand, when you only hear what your employees are saying, you risk missing crucial information, misinterpreting what they're really saying, and failing to address their concerns. When you listen, you create an environment of trust and respect, leading to greater productivity, increased job satisfaction, and a more positive workplace culture. You learn about the challenges your employees are facing, their proposed solutions, and their ideas for moving the company forward.

You gain valuable insight into what's going on in your organisation when you listen. Promote Trust & RespectĪs a leader, it's essential to really listen to your employees. The act of hearing is simply perceiving sound waves with your ears, but the art of listening requires your full attention and understanding, something which becomes increasingly difficult when under pressure, and having to multitask, all part of our everyday lives. You might hear what your employees are saying, but are you really listening? There's a big difference between hearing and truly listening. As a leader, it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that hearing is enough.
