Being able to effectively communicate goals and ideas with your employees is crucial to team success. Equally important, however, is the ability to make your employees feel heard when they communicate with you — whether that be directly, indirectly, verbally, or nonverbally. Below we have listed 5 Ways to Truly Listen to Your Employees in order to make them feel more empowered and heard.
1. Stop Yourself From Interrupting. The first step to making your employees feel heard is stopping to intently listen. True listening cannot occur if you cut off your employee to make a comment or rebuttal of your own. Instead, let them communicate their complete thought before you respond.
2. Make Friends With Silence. After an employee communicates with you, the urge to immediately respond with all the right answers and solutions may arise. However, sometimes taking a brief pause — even if it's a little awkward — can help you to truly listen and hear your employee.
3. Remove Distractions. Communicating with a superior can be hard for your employee when there are other people and stimuli around. Choose a time that works for both you and your employee and communicate with them in a controlled one-on-one environment.
4. Respond to Body Language. Understanding the nonverbal communications your employees give off is key to truly listening to them. If an employee who is usually peppy and energetic suddenly becomes sluggish and quiet, it might be your cue to make sure everything is alright.
5. Open Door and Open Mind Policy. It is important for employees to always feel able to communicate with you. Make sure they know your door is always open. When your employee communicates with you, detach from searching for solutions. Instead, have an open mind and truly hear what they have to say.
Learn more about our one-to-one communication coaching.