Today’s workplace is LOUD.
Do you ever feel like your ideas and comments swirl into the same black hole as that one sock that always goes missing from the laundry?
If you feel that way, others in your organization probably do, too. Feeling overlooked and ignored can cause team members to lose morale, become disengaged, and give less than 100% to their jobs.
That’s why empathetic listening is crucial to establishing a productive work culture and a thriving company.
What Is Empathetic Listening, Anyway?
Put bluntly, empathetic listening is paying attention to what the other person is saying instead of:
- Waiting to talk.
- Checking your phone.
- Thinking about your schedule.
- Trying to decide what you want for dinner.
It’s about soaking in the person’s words and mulling them over respectfully and thoughtfully.
How can you take your workforce from talking at the top of their lungs (pipe down, Brian) to welcoming other folks’ ideas and thoughts? We won’t tell you it’s easy, but these 4 actions help accomplish it.
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Lead by Example
Be the meme you want to see in your office! Throw out the suggestion box that never gets opened and establish an open-door policy where fresh ideas and comments are taken as seriously as someone using the last coffee pod in the break room.
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Schedule Listening Workshops
These sessions, otherwise known as “How Not to be a Robot 101”, can include role-playing and other engaging exercises that help team members hone their listening skills. They also help more introverted, quieter team members find their voices.
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Hold “No Interruption” Challenges
No, we aren’t saying duct tape rambling team members’ mouths. (Although isn’t that fun to fantasize about?) Pair up participants and give them a topic to discuss without interrupting each other. Reward the team that follows the rules the longest.
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Establish Feedback Circles
Create “exit interviews” from the previous 2 activities where team members can share their feelings and experiences with the processes.
Building a culture where team members practice empathetic listening won’t be easy. However, the benefits far outweigh the obstacles in building a more engaged workforce and an innovative, inclusive organizational culture.
We are rooting for you!
Avery and Brian