Have you ever felt like you were talking to a brick wall?
We’ve all been part of conversations where the person we were speaking to wasn’t listening…
Maybe they were scrolling on their phone while you were talking, maybe they were multitasking and you didn’t have their full attention, or maybe they just kept interrupting and you weren’t able to get your thoughts across – whatever the reason, the feeling of frustration is always the same.
It’s an annoying, but an all-too-common experience that affects our day-to-day relationships negatively – and it’s no different when it comes to the workplace.
According to active listening trends in 2023 – active listening at work can reduce misunderstandings by 40% and can increase employee satisfaction rates by up to 16%.
These are massive numbers when you consider impact on collaboration and productivity – and all that it takes that we truly listen to one another.
Active listening is a skill that takes practice and genuine effort to develop. But with the right techniques and tips, you will significantly improve your active listening skills in the workplace.
Active listening is a communication skill that involves undivided attention and understanding of the speaker’s message.
It is more than simply hearing words, and involves actively engaging with the speaker, both verbally and non-verbally to gain perspective.
Active listening requires being present, respectful, and empathetic to find mutual understanding.
Active listening is important – especially within the workplace – because it helps people communicate better.
Active listening is also a basic sign of respect and shows that you value your colleagues’ perspectives and ideas.
It makes sure everyone’s thoughts, feelings and opinions are fully understood – which helps to reduce misunderstandings and helps build strong, positive working relationships.
Genuine listening encourages a positive and inclusive work environment where everyone feels heard and acknowledged. Additionally, active listening allows for better problem-solving and decision-making by gathering all relevant information and considering multiple viewpoints – ultimately improving teamwork and efficiency.
The first step to becoming a better active listener is all about curiosity.
It’s about being genuinely interested in other people’s feelings and experiences.
When you approach conversations with a sense of curiosity, it opens up a whole new world of understanding.
You start asking questions, seeking to learn more, and really diving into the other person’s perspective.
Once you’ve let your curiosity guide you – practice will make perfect. The more you engage in active listening and let your curiosity shine, the better you’ll become at connecting with your colleagues and making them feel heard.
Make an effort to maintain eye contact with your colleague. It shows that you are attentive and interested in what they have to say.
Let your colleague finish their thoughts before responding or interjecting. Interrupting can disrupt their flow and make them feel frustrated.
Put yourself in their shoes and try to understand their perspective and emotions – it will go a long way in making a more meaningful connection.
Nodding, smiling, and using appropriate facial expressions can signal to your teammate that you are engaged and actively listening.
Active listening involves keeping an open mind and being receptive to different perspectives. Let your colleague know that when they speak to you it’s a safe space without judgement.
Give your full attention to the speaker and avoid multitasking. Focus on the present moment let go of thoughts that may hinder your ability to genuinely listen.
Encourage your colleague to elaborate on their ideas by asking open-ended questions that require more than a simple “yes” or “no” response.
Allow them to express their thoughts without rushing them. Be patient and give them the time and space to articulate their ideas fully.
Maintain an open and receptive posture – sit up straight and face them directly. Avoid crossing your arms or anything that could be interpreted as defensive body language.
Without interrupting them, occasionally summarise your colleague’s main points to ensure you are understanding them correctly. This helps reinforce the information you are receiving and shows that you are actively engaged in the conversation.
Offer constructive feedback or thoughts on the speaker’s ideas when appropriate. This demonstrates your engagement and shows that you have been actively listening.
The first step to becoming a better active listener is all about curiosity. It’s about being genuinely interested in other people’s feelings and experiences. 
Pulse surveys are your first step to building better listening at work.
You can gather valuable feedback fast, identify areas for improvement, and take targeted actions.
Here’s our step-by-step guide to get you started…
Pulse surveys provide a platform for employees to share their thoughts and opinions anonymously.
This encourages honest and open feedback, as employees feel more comfortable expressing their views without fear of repercussions.
Craft your survey questions to specifically focus on active listening and communication within your organisation.
For example, ask about employees’ perceptions of listening skills within their teams or ask for suggestions to improve communication channels.
Include questions in your pulse surveys that measure employee engagement and satisfaction.
Active listening is closely tied to employee engagement, as it shows that their voices are heard and valued. Analysing engagement levels can provide insights into how well active listening practices are being implemented.
Conduct regular pulse surveys to track changes and trends in employee feedback.
By analysing the data over time, you will identify patterns and take proactive measures to address any gaps in active listening and communication.
Share survey results with employees and communicate the actions being taken as a result of their feedback. This proves to them that their opinions have been heard and valued.
It’s crucial to act upon the feedback received from pulse surveys. For instance, if employees express concerns about a lack of active listening from supervisors, you can organise training programs or workshops on active listening skills for managers.
Acknowledge and reward individuals or teams that show active listening in their interactions. This can be done through recognition initiatives or highlighting success stories in internal communications.
Continuously evaluate the impact of pulse surveys and active listening initiatives.
Monitor changes in employee satisfaction, engagement, and communication to assess the effectiveness of the strategies you’ve implemented – we guarantee you’ll be impressed by the results!
About the author
Lucy Harvey, COO at Stribe, has 11+ years’ experience in purpose-driven leadership roles across health, wellbeing, internal communications, employee engagement, and marketing. She is passionate about creating workplaces where people are happy, fulfilled, and feel comfortable and safe to talk.
