5 WAYS Bosses can Become Good Listeners
As a
leader or a manager, it is almost given that you will have a lot on your plate.
But when a subordinate approaches you, it is good to stop doing whatever you're
doing and listen. ET's Varuni Khosla brings tips from experts on how you, as a
boss, can become a good listener.
1 Undivided Attention
Signing
papers or replying to emails or glancing at your phone every two minutes while
your subordinate is speaking is not going to help you become a good listener.
Give undivided attention while showing empathy and think of the situation from
the subordinate's point of view. Don't dismiss what is being said because of
bias towards the person or the topic of discussion. Listen with an open mind
instead of being judgemental, says Swapnil Kamat of Work Better Training.
2 Get to Root Cause
When a
team member seems anxious, delve into the root cause. Doing so will enable one
to avert resolve conflict at the workplace.“Effective listening requires the
manager to probe beneath the surface, if need be, to gain a more balanced
perspective,“ says Vikas Malhotra, V-P, business operation, Eli India.
3 Be Perceptive
Try to
gauge the emotions behind the words: Is the speaker angry, afraid or
frustrated? Is there a meaning between the lines of what is being said? Try to
decipher that and respond accordingly, says Kamat.
4 Never Interrupt
When you
interrupt people when they are speaking, they may lose their flow and become
incoherent. So, don't interrupt. Once they have finished, paraphrase your
understanding of what they said. This not only helps you reconfirm your
understanding but also makes them feel heard and cared for, says Kamat.
5 It's Not About
You Pay
heed to the words as much as to the tone, A manager must be self-aware and in
control of her his emotions to be able to give undivided attention. “Where
there is a fierce discussion, one needs to keep a handle on oneself to ensure
it doesn't escalate into a conflict,“ says Malhotra.
ET 2DEC16
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