Listening skills are important for your company culture, fostering a working environment where your people are heard and understood better.

This enhances overall workplace communication in your company, with an engaged workforce better equipped to connect and work together effectively from stronger workplace alignment and relationships.

How can you improve your listening skills for your company culture?

Here are 3 key principles you can apply in doing so, using the 3 A's:

• Acknowledge
• Attention
• Assess

1. Acknowledge

When listening to the other party, you can begin by acknowledging the party that is sharing with you.

In doing this, you can:

• Thank the other party for sharing with you
• Provide a safe space for the other party to share his/her thoughts
• Show appreciation for the party making time and trusting you with the sharing

Remain objective, avoiding any preconceived biases or judgments of the party you are listening to for best empathy to be practiced here.

2. Attention

In other words, be actively present when listening to the other party without unnecessary distractions. Pay appropriate attention.

Be actively engaged as you listen to the other party, such as:

• Appropriate body language, non-verbal cues and gestures when listening
• Avoid interrupting or rushing to respond when the other party is sharing
• Ask questions, paraphrase and summarise to clarify the sharing if needed to avoid misunderstandings

If the other party caught you in the wrong time, consider scheduling a separate and better time to listen to the sharing. This enables you to be in a better state of mind when doing so.

3. Assess

To listen effectively is more than just hearing the other party's sharing. You need to also assess effectively the context and motivation of the party's sharing.

When sharing, some may be seeking a solution to the shared issues. Some may be seeking a second opinion. Some may not be even looking for either, but just a listening ear for emotional support for the shared issues.

Depending on the situation, you may need to also provide a response or direct the person and issue to someone more suitable to handle them. Manage this tactfully with care as the other party may have shared to you the issue in confidence. Ideally, involve the other party who shared with you together on how best to navigate this matter.

Concluding remarks

Understanding your people better starts with listening to your people better. This is key to nurturing an engaged workplace where people are heard and valued in your company culture.

With improved listening skills, this prepares your people to connect better when communicating with each other, bringing your company culture towards working together effectively.

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Culturedation specialises in Company Culture Advisory and Trainings, helping you align your Company Culture with your Business.

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