Listening occurs at multiple levels and can have dramatic effects on team cohesion and success.
Why it Matters: Applying effective listening skills builds trust and loyalty amongst your team. Knowing when to engage at the right level of listening will improve communication and team performance.
Try It:
Feedback: A question or statement is offered, and you respond. The most basic form of listening.
Paraphrasing: Repeating the question or statement you hear. So, what I hear you saying is you feel overworked?
Clarifying: Identifying the real concern behind the question or statement. So, what I hear you saying is you feel underappreciated?
Empathetic Listening: Connecting with the situation and feelings of your teammate. I hear you and I’ve been there too.
Active Listening: Recognizing the underlying emotions in your teammate’s words. It sounds like you are feeling alone in your job.
Source:
Harvard Management Communication Letter. (1999). Handling Q&A: The Five Kinds of Listening. Harvard Business School Publishing, (February 1).
Go Deeper:
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