Good listeners are better workers - experts
May 22, 2011
LISTENING is an important component of effective communication, without which, information shared during a conversation or presentation is impeded and, consequently, feedback is equally affected.
By Anthony Olwoch
LISTENING is an important component of effective communication, without which, information shared during a conversation or presentation is impeded and, consequently, feedback is equally affected.
At the workplace, having good listening skills cannot, for any reason, be undermined. Its importance must be valued on a day-to-day basis and should be practiced.
Being a good listener plays a significant role towards one’s career success. Good listening skills promote a better understanding among employees and between employers and workers.
Success is achieved primarily because instructions passed on are well understood and appropriate feedback is elicited, experts say.
Albert Kakama, the human resource and administration manager at the Uganda Management Institute, observes that a workplace is a collection of people with different personalities, behaviour, upbringing, experiences, training and intentions, which makes managing people the most complex assignment.
It is, therefore, important to listen carefully to an issue before one draws conclusions or takes action.
Joyce Akello, a human resource expert, says when employees work as a team, they accomplish a lot. But sometimes, because of divergent views and opinions, conflicts may arise, especially if they fail to listen to each other.
In case such conflicts are not resolved appropriately and immediately, teamwork is affected, resulting into low productivity.
On the other hand, being a good listener helps in resolving conflicts. It demonstrates respect for either party.
By being an active and effective listener, employees get an opportunity to learn more about their colleagues. It also results into better friendships at the workplace, which is beneficial on a professional and personal level.
“An employee or employer’s career is enhanced if the importance of effective listening is not ignored in the communication line.
“This is because it gives room for personal development through acquiring of new knowledge from one another,†Akello notes.
It also establishes of good working relationships with colleagues, bosses and clients. People always learn new things when they listen well Akello adds.
Poor listening skills, which involve constant interruption, result in an unenlightened and meaningless conversation.
In a workplace, regulations are used to contain excess behaviour in managing divergences of personalities and actions.
But laws are not enough basis for taking decisions. “A good manager listens to all parties and takes middle position supported by policy and evidence,†Kakama notes.
How to build listening skills
For communication to be effective, one has to e a good listener. However, many people think they are good listeners, but the reverse is true.
This is because there is a clear difference between hearing and listening. Listening is active, while hearing is passive. Effective listening skills can be developed through:
Always pay attention when holding a conversation.
Keep your focus on the speaker and what he or she is saying. Avoid unnecessary distractions and do not allow your mind wander off.
Remember, it takes conscious effort to be a good listener.
Avoid interrupting the person(s) talking to you. Patience and self-control is critical in this case. Always allow him or her to finish a statement before replying. This helps improving listening skills.
When holding a conversation, pay keen attention to details and ask the right questions.
It is equally important to try to ask the right questions and also avoid overdoing it.
• Always try to give feedback.
• Make sure you are comfortable and relaxed during a conversation. This will help you to be more attentive.
LISTENING is an important component of effective communication, without which, information shared during a conversation or presentation is impeded and, consequently, feedback is equally affected.
At the workplace, having good listening skills cannot, for any reason, be undermined. Its importance must be valued on a day-to-day basis and should be practiced.
Being a good listener plays a significant role towards one’s career success. Good listening skills promote a better understanding among employees and between employers and workers.
Success is achieved primarily because instructions passed on are well understood and appropriate feedback is elicited, experts say.
Albert Kakama, the human resource and administration manager at the Uganda Management Institute, observes that a workplace is a collection of people with different personalities, behaviour, upbringing, experiences, training and intentions, which makes managing people the most complex assignment.
It is, therefore, important to listen carefully to an issue before one draws conclusions or takes action.
Joyce Akello, a human resource expert, says when employees work as a team, they accomplish a lot. But sometimes, because of divergent views and opinions, conflicts may arise, especially if they fail to listen to each other.
In case such conflicts are not resolved appropriately and immediately, teamwork is affected, resulting into low productivity.
On the other hand, being a good listener helps in resolving conflicts. It demonstrates respect for either party.
By being an active and effective listener, employees get an opportunity to learn more about their colleagues. It also results into better friendships at the workplace, which is beneficial on a professional and personal level.
“An employee or employer’s career is enhanced if the importance of effective listening is not ignored in the communication line.
“This is because it gives room for personal development through acquiring of new knowledge from one another,†Akello notes.
It also establishes of good working relationships with colleagues, bosses and clients. People always learn new things when they listen well Akello adds.
Poor listening skills, which involve constant interruption, result in an unenlightened and meaningless conversation.
In a workplace, regulations are used to contain excess behaviour in managing divergences of personalities and actions.
But laws are not enough basis for taking decisions. “A good manager listens to all parties and takes middle position supported by policy and evidence,†Kakama notes.
How to build listening skills
For communication to be effective, one has to e a good listener. However, many people think they are good listeners, but the reverse is true.
This is because there is a clear difference between hearing and listening. Listening is active, while hearing is passive. Effective listening skills can be developed through:
Always pay attention when holding a conversation.
Keep your focus on the speaker and what he or she is saying. Avoid unnecessary distractions and do not allow your mind wander off.
Remember, it takes conscious effort to be a good listener.
Avoid interrupting the person(s) talking to you. Patience and self-control is critical in this case. Always allow him or her to finish a statement before replying. This helps improving listening skills.
When holding a conversation, pay keen attention to details and ask the right questions.
It is equally important to try to ask the right questions and also avoid overdoing it.
• Always try to give feedback.
• Make sure you are comfortable and relaxed during a conversation. This will help you to be more attentive.