Sure, you hear the words coming out of their mouths.

But are you really listening to what employees and other managers are saying?

Great listening behaviors enhance your ability to lead, motivate and perform, but it takes more than functioning ears to be an effective listener. If you’d like to improve your skills in this area, Exact Staff shares best practices you can adopt immediately:

Be Fully Present

Distracted by an email you forgot to send? The dinging of your cell phone? That upcoming meeting you’re not prepared for yet? We all are; we live and work in “the interruption culture.” Make a conscious effort to be in the moment when someone is speaking to you, focusing your eyes and ears on them. And if a distraction is too strong for you to devote your full attention to what’s going on, excuse yourself for a moment. Take care of it, and return to the conversation as quickly as possible.

Make the Speaker Comfortable

This Forbes post explains how to set the stage for better listening by making the speaker feel safe and comfortable:

• Physical body mirroring. Mirroring someone’s body position enables you to feel more like them and do a better job appreciating what they have to say. Make small, subtle adjustments to your own orientation and posture to reflect the speaker’s body language. Lean out when they lean out; cross your legs after they cross theirs. Just be sure that you’re not too obvious or mechanical as you shift position.
• Keyword and gesture backtracking. Mirroring the words and gestures a person uses enhances feelings of “sameness.” If the speaker is animated, respond by gesturing similarly. If you notice that they repeat key phrases, incorporate them in your language.

Establishing rapport in this way frees up attention and energy in both directions, fostering better listening and communication.

Engage in Active Listening

Most people begin formulating their responses while the speaker is still talking. Active listeners are different. Take a page from their book by:

• Focusing on understanding what the other person is saying (not how you’ll respond).
• Paying attention to the speaker’s words, tone of voice and body language (you’ll get important information from all three sources).
• Making appropriate eye contact (think friendly, not intimidating).
• Reflecting what the other person has said, to make sure you understand them fully.
• Clarifying or probing for more information, when necessary.
• Responding only once you’re sure you grasp what the speaker has communicated.

Related Content:
3 Important Things Great Leaders Do Every Day
What to Do if a Conversation Becomes Loud and Aggressive

Are employees telling you that they’re stressed? Frustrated? Overworked?

Use the tips in this post to find out what’s really going on. If you need help with the process, Exact Staff is just a phone call away. We’ll listen, ask the right questions, and then create a solution that offers the workforce flexibility, support and access to talent your team needs.

What can we do for you? Contact a staffing expert at your local Exact Staff office today.