Hello Lifelong Learner ...
Here's your weekly tip/idea/technique to help you better engage your team in the activities that lead to higher performance.
CORE Bites #1: Do your employees see you as a great listener? As leaders, we need to recognize (and appreciate) the difference between simply hearing an employee's words ... and truly understanding what is being communicated. When we master the art of active listening, employees feel more valued and appreciated—and we create higher levels of trust and engagement.
HVA Action Step: This week (starting today!) focus on enhancing your active listening skills by concentrating on individual employee communication styles and mannerisms. The following powerful pointers will help you become an even better listener:
- Give the person your undivided attention. Avoid being distracted by environmental factors (like email 'pings'). Actively "listen" to the person's body language.
- Show that you're listening. Keep eye contact (but don't 'stare'), lean forward, and mirror with your own body language and gestures to show that you're engaged.
- Reflect on what's being said by paraphrasing. "If I'm understanding correctly, what you're saying is... ," is a great way to reflect back and demonstrate that you're interested and comprehending what's being said.
Have a brilliant day ... and enjoy the journey!
Neil Dempster, PhD, MBA
RESULTant™ and Behavioral Engineer
