We all had a manager who doesn’t seem to listen to a single word we say, and if we don’t, it’s probably because we are that person. I’ve been on both ends, but I found a way out of the vicious cycle. The answer is active listening.As leaders, we have a lot of influence and power to make changes. We owe the team the responsibility of taking care of the team members, helping them grow, and supporting them in tough times, and we cannot do this effectively if we don’t know how to actively listen. Why would someone listen to us if we don’t listen to them?Active listening is a communication skill that involves going beyond simply hearing the words that another person speaks, to seek to understand the meaning and intent behind them. Listening builds trust, builds shared understanding, and puts the people on the same side to work toward a solution.Explore with me the meaning of active listening, how it can help us be more effective and empathetic leaders, and how to practice it.
