“One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say.” — Bryant H. McGill
With more people talking and fewer people listening, we need leaders at the top who ensure all voices are heard. Leaders who fail to listen increase litigation risks, lower employee engagement, reduce innovative ideas and lower productivity. In fact, 81% of employees say that when issues are raised, their senior leaders respond with defensiveness, blame or shame. As listening champions and the industry leader in listening products and services, we want all voices to be heard.
One of the main differences between a great leader and an average one is in their ability to actively listen to their employees. Healthy communication between leaders and their team members establishes a firm and important foundation of trust. When team members know that they will be heard (and appreciated for voicing their opinions, concerns, etc.), they are exponentially more apt to share their ideas and provide open and honest feedback. Listening with empathy and non-defensively builds employee engagement and fuels business outcomes, like innovation, productivity and profitability.
All of us could benefit from some reflection on how well we actually listen and from new tactics to enhance our skills in this area. Fortunately, we offer a wide range of services and products to help you to hone your listening skills and become a much better leader for your team.
Our listening preferences determine how we engage, influence, and make judgments and decisions. Influential leaders and facilitators learn how to adapt their messages to the listening preferences of others to encourage them to listen. This assessment is fast and easy to score (and can be completed online, for your convenience).
The Listening Leader: Tips for Listening Leaders
This guide provides tips to help leaders and employees listen more effectively. It includes tools and techniques to help balance inquiry and advocacy. Learn about listener preferences, how to adapt to differing preferences and be reminded of typical listening breakdowns. The guide is ideal as a “take-away” after listening and communication workshops. The desk top design allows for quick, easy reference.
Watson-Barker Listening Test (WBLT)
This test was designed to help measure a person’s ability in listening comprehension. Used successfully at over 300 universities and Fortune 500 companies, the WBLT assesses listening comprehension and measures five types of interpersonal listening skills:
- Evaluating message content
- Understanding meaning in conversations
- Understanding and remembering information in lectures
- Evaluating emotional meaning
- Following instructions and directions.
The WBLT helps participants discover their abilities to follow instructions, remember key ideas, understand lectures, understand interactions, and evaluate information. In a video format, the WBLT offers realistic on-the-job listening and includes audio and visual stimuli and various regional dialects. It simulates listening to televised messages as well as live interactions (no professional actors or actresses are used).
Advocacy/Inquiry Skill Inventory (AISI)
This instrument is designed to help participants learn how initiating communication, being direct, comprehending others, and respecting other’s preferences can help or hinder relationships with others. The 20-item AISI is easy to use and administer. Participants quickly score and receive immediate feedback on their preferences for using advocacy and inquiry skills.
Anyone who wants to be more successful at work or at home will find important, new advice in Listen Up. This ground-breaking book explains:
- How to use the power of listening to gain what you want from any conversation
- The four basic styles of listening
- Why people tune out and how to hold their attention
- How to listen across genders and generations
- How to avoid misunderstandings and increase productivity by better listening
Designed for team members, supervisors, managers, and executives who want to improve their listening skills. This 60-page booklet is specifically designed for busy executives, managers, supervisors and administrators who want to improve their listening skills. It features field-tested, easy-to-understand tips that readers can put into practice immediately.
This book is divided into 21 brief learning segments that can each be read in 60 seconds or less. Each learning segment includes:
- a practical listening concept
- examples and illustrations
- specific topics and suggestions
- a listening KEY
- a “Try this Today” activity
Together, we can help you become a listening leader, which will not only help you grow into a better leader but will also grow your teams and your organization. Shop our products online or schedule a virtual webinar or consultation. As every working team is unique, we will work with you to determine which services best fit your needs and budget.
Visit our website for full details on our remote services and offerings.
Contact us for more information about customization and to schedule an appointment.