Summary
Discover the power of intentional listening to improve relationships and communication within your team.
Have you ever driven to a routine destination and not realize how you got there? You miss the details like street names, making turns, or the songs played in your car.
Sometimes we are also on autopilot through a conversation. We are going through the motions of being silent while someone else is talking as an act of listening. However, have you ever started to think about what you are going to say next during a conversation?
Or have you caught yourself thinking about your next meeting or evening plans during a conversation, creating an awkward moment when you ask to repeat the question or statement?
Listening with intention creates a platform for everyone to be heard. When people feel like they are heard they are 4.6 more likely to feel empowered to do more and go the extra mile.
Intentional listening starts with maintaining eye contact and removing distractions such as our phones.
In addition, restating or rephrasing what the person just said shows you are listening to understand instead of listening to respond. For example, start with “To make sure I understand” and restate what you heard.
Rephrasing shows where there may be gaps in your understanding or highlights something you haven’t considered before to help with the solution or provide additional perspective.
Also, responding with “Tell me more” creates an open environment to share a different perspective and a way to find common ground for collaboration.
Intentional listening creates a culture where your employees can be empowered and engaged, which impacts productivity and retention.
Want to learn more? Schedule a 30-minute complimentary Strategy Session here to discover additional ways to increase employee engagement and create a collaborative culture.