Listening is the ability to correctly hear and understand verbal communication. Messages can be easily misconstrued if a person is not practicing effective listening. Listening is an important skill for a leader to have in the workplace. One key to being a good listener is being an active listener. Active listening is when a person focuses on the conversation that is taking place and is able to effectively respond. Being an active listener is an essential part of being a successful leader.  

Although active listening is a desired skill to have, it does have its pros and cons. Being an active listener can help build rapport, assist in conflict resolution, and allow for better communication and understanding.  Building rapport or a relationship with others goes a long way in the workplace. When people feel like they have something in common with you, they feel more comfortable talking to you.

Along with the advantages, there are also a number disadvantages associated with active listening. Two, in particular, stand out. One disadvantage is the amount of time and mental energy it can take. This skillset isn’t easy to apply; it requires an adequate amount of time and mental energy to be effective. Another disadvantage is that people can start to use you as a personal ear. Sometimes, when a person discovers that you possess this quality, they tend to come to you more often with their work and personal issues.

Being aware of the different types of listening can add to being an active listener. There are seven types of listening that one should be aware of: informational, listening to learn, understand and retain information; discriminative, listening for tone of voice, verbal cues and other changes in sound; biased, being selective by listening for information you want to hear; sympathetic, listening that is activated by emotion and focuses primarily on the speaker’s feelings and emotions; comprehensive, listening to understand the words that are being said; empathetic/therapeutic, listening to understand another person’s point of view and potentially put yourself in their shoes; and critical listening, listening not just to understand, but also analyze the information.

Tips for using active listening at work

• Limit Distractions
• Use the right body language
• Focus on the present
• Look for meaning later
• Summarize what the speaker said
• Ask follow-up questions

Tips for listening in the workplace

There are general guidelines teams with healthy communication follow:

• Allow moments of silence
• Take notes
• Show empathy
• Find balance
• Try to learn
• Recharge your body and mind
• Be honest

Additional Information & Resources

Articles

• Active listening is key / Listen first, talk second
• Active Listening in the Workplace: How Its Worth Its Weight In Gold
• 7 types of listening that can change your life and work
• How To Effectively Use Active Listening in the Workplace

Books

• Blair, Damian. The Power of Listening: How to Improve Relationships by Becoming an Active Listener. Blair Damian, 2021.
• Leonardo, Nixaly. Active Listening Techniques: 30 Practical Tools to Hone Your Communication Skills. Rockridge Press, 2022.

Videos

• Active Listening Skills for Managers – How to Build & Use Them
• The power of listening | William Ury | TEDxSanDiego
• 5 ways to listen better | Julian Treasure
• Active Listening Demonstration with Employee