Valuable Tips for Listening

by Michael Holland    

Are you really listening to what people are saying to you? Many people – your employees included – “test the waters” when they are talking with you. They may start out with “safe” topics, or share what they think you want to hear, leaving valuable information below the surface, deciding on how you respond if they will share it or not.

So check your listening – which is largely gauged by how you respond in a conversation.

• Do you respond by asking open ended questions like, “Tell me more.”
• Do you seek your employee’s perspective by responding with “What do you think?”
• Or do you tend to jump in and give your opinion and proposed solution?

Responding by listening more and talking less will likely increase the degree of openness you get from your employees. So sit back, relax and ask a few questions to increase your listening and depth of understanding.