Listening Is A Vital Management Skill
Friday October 23, 2009
It is important to be able to communicate clearly, to be able to convey information to others. As managers, we have to do this throughout the day. However, it is equally important to be able to receive information - from your employees as well as your superiors. Most of us have learned that you can't hear if you are talking, so we let others talk and we listen to what they say.
Yet what your employees do not say is as important as what they do say. You have to develop the ability to listen to what they are not saying and dig through that to get to the truth. Otherwise you will have the false perception that you are doing fine - right up to the minute you are fired and replaced by someone who can be effective. So Listen To What They Are Not Saying and you will be a better manager.
I can attest to this. I had an employee acting distant and calling in sick. When I spoke with her she was having problems with some issues and was looking for another job. My prompting her helped her to open up to her concerns and I was then able to help her with her issues. I can say she decided to stay and remains a great asset to me.