The importance of active listening in building authentic relationships with your employees

Introduction

In a constantly evolving professional environment, the ability to develop authentic, solid relationships with one's colleagues is a major asset for any leader. For leaders and managers, active listening is a crucial skill that enables them not only to understand and respond to the needs of their team members, but also to strengthen cohesion and collective intelligence. In this article, we'll explore the importance of active listening, its different definitions according to experts, and how to practice it to become a more empathetic and effective leader.

What is Active Listening?

Active listening is a fundamental concept in communication that goes far beyond simply listening to the spoken word. According to humanist psychologist Carl Rogers, active listening is "a way of paying attention with empathy and without judgment, aiming to truly understand the other's point of view". For his part, Stephen Covey, author of the famous book "The 7 Habits of Effective People", defines active listening as "listening with the intention of understanding, not responding".

In short, active listening involves :

• Paying full and undivided attention to the interlocutor.

• Eliminating prejudice and interruptions.

• Validating the emotions and feelings expressed.

• Rephrasing to clarify and confirm understanding.

Developing Active Listening : A Process of Awareness and Empathy

To practice active listening, it's essential to engage in a conscious process of putting one's own judgments and prejudices on hold. Here are a few steps to achieve this:

Create a Supportive Environment : Make sure the environment is conducive to open and honest communication. This means minimizing distractions and showing genuine availability.

Practice Empathy : Try to put yourself in the other person's shoes. Understand their emotions and perspectives without judging them. Empathy is the key to establishing an authentic connection.

Use Reformulation Techniques : Rephrase what the other person has said to show that you've understood. For example: "If I understand correctly, you're saying that...".

Open Questions : Encourage the other person to develop his or her ideas by asking questions that are not just yes/no answers. For example: "Can you tell me more about that?".

Validate Feelings : Acknowledge the emotions expressed by the interlocutor. This can be done with phrases such as: "I can see that you really care about this".

Active Listening : A Tool for Authentic Leadership

Active listening isn't just a communication technique; it's a pillar of authentic leadership.

Here's why it's so essential :

• Trust-building : When employees feel they are truly listened to and understood, trust in the leader is strengthened.

• Improving Collaboration : Open, empathetic communication fosters better teamwork and greater collective intelligence.

• Conflict resolution : Active listening makes it easier to understand the sources of conflict and find common solutions.

• Increased commitment : Employees who feel listened to and understood are generally more engaged and motivated in their work.

Practical tips for mastering Active Listening

As a team coach and change management consultant, here are some practical tips for integrating active listening into your daily routine:

• Practice mindfulness : Take a few moments to center yourself before each important conversation. This will help you to be fully present.

• Give Constructive Feedback : When you give feedback, make sure it's based on attentive listening and is constructive.

• Encourage Openness : Create a culture of openness where every team member feels safe to express themselves.

• Train Yourself and Your Teams : Invest in active listening training for yourself and your teams to reinforce this essential skill.

Conclusion

Active listening is an essential skill for any leader wishing to establish authentic, solid relationships with his or her colleagues. By developing this ability, you can not only improve your effectiveness as a leader, but also create a more harmonious and collaborative working environment. Don't forget: active listening shows your colleagues that they are valued and understood, which is the foundation of any authentic professional relationship.

As a change management consultant and team coach, I'm here to support you in developing your leadership and team cohesion. To find out more about my services and how I can help you achieve your goals, please contact me. Together, let's build more resilient, committed and successful teams.