Lost in translation
As the Business Matters blog points out, if managers cannot listen effectively, much of the communication with subordinates is lost in translation, so to speak.
If workers have something to say and want to express their opinions or objections to management, they can hardly do so effectively if their manager isn't listening. Thus, many things remain misunderstood and unspoken. And this is the basis for many misunderstandings.
Active listening
Listening to subordinates effectively means listening to them actively. You may have heard the term "active listening" before. But you may not know exactly what it means. So what is it?
Active listening consists of not passively receiving information from another person, i.e. not just sitting and listening. Active listening is actually a dialogue. When someone is giving us information, we should show (verbally and non-verbally) that we understand what they are saying. From time to time, we should summarise in our own words the ideas that the other person is trying to convey to us, ensuring that we have understood everything. We should also ask follow-up questions and make it plain when something is not clear.
Getting feedback
If you learn to listen well and effectively to your subordinates, everyone will benefit. How so?
Subordinates will rightly feel they are being listened to and their opinion taken into account. This will make them happier, more loyal and more productive. The company will gain a more committed workforce, plus valuable insights into how its employees work and think.
And how do you, the manager, benefit from this situation? In addition to improving relations and gaining a better insight into the minds of your subordinates, you gain a unique opportunity to receive feedback on your own work. If you learn to listen well and encourage subordinates not to be afraid of giving you their opinion, you will learn a lot about your own management style and thus gain the opportunity to improve and advance yourself career-wise and personally.
-mm-