Managers and leaders often take listening for granted, but it is a crucial skill and an essential component towards establishing trust in every business. When leaders learn to listen mindfully, they can keep their staff more engaged, foster innovation, find new ideas, and hear what they need to hear in a discussion instead of what they expect or want to hear.
The best leaders establish a foundation of trust with their team. Trust, rapport, and engagement are key elements to engaging in quality conversations that promote performance, growth, and profitability for both the individual and the company. But what is mindful listening?
Mindful Listening
Mindful listening requires us to pay attention without judgment and to practice compassionate awareness. It is being conscious of not only our thoughts, feelings, emotions, and physical sensations, but also of those with whom we are communicating. When we listen to the actual content of what someone says, as well as to how they’re feeling, we can often discern what’s important beneath their words.
Mindful listening can enhance empathy, compassion, and the chance of us really understanding where another person is coming from. It can also improve conflict resolution and decrease tension in difficult conversations.
In Action
Replace knee-jerk reactions and talk about your own reactions and feelings in relation to what you observe while communicating. Since you’re not trying to justify someone else’s actions when using this method, it’s more difficult for people to become upset.
Compassionate Communication
How we communicate sets the tone for each respective relationship as a whole. By practicing compassionate communication, we effectively empower the practical interactions. Developing the self-awareness that leads to effective leadership is not only possible, but highly recommended. This creates a model of communication through which a strong company culture defines how business gets done.
Showing compassion is extremely effective when communicating. Employees contribute more not only when they feel they are being heard, but also when they believe leadership actually cares about what they have to say.
In Action
Demonstrate empathy as a leader by interacting with your team and learning who they are and what they need in order to retain them. Motivate employees by acknowledging their contributions and facilitating collaboration to keep them engaged and productive.
Empathetic Leadership
A leader or manager who understands the feelings of their employees can create more meaningful relationships with them. Because business results can be improved through strong relationships, empathic listening is an important technique to incorporate in the communication process. However, it should be noted that “Action is the real difference between empathy and care,” according to a Gallup Engagement Survey.
In other words, simply listening, even if leaders are being empathetic and mindful, does not have as strong an effect as acting on what has been communicated.
Becoming a More Effective Leader
The skills involved in becoming a stronger, more effective leader who is invested in mindful listening may need to be developed. Greg can help leaders overcome the challenges they face in order to build the kind of company culture they want. Call (949) 572-7700 today to start changing the way you communicate.
