Right now, we’re all looking to take action. To restart, to grow, to get back to normal. But what we need to do first is listen.
Leaders have a habit of speaking. That’s a good thing. But if you’ve built your team successfully, you’re surrounded by plenty of smart, motivated people who may be sitting on some incredible ideas. Being an active, engaged listener should be a characteristic prized in every team member, but maybe something most valuable in a leader.
First, evaluate your listening style. Everyone learns, and listens, differently. From note-taking to asking questions to simply recapping a conversation, we not only form our impressions internally, but we cement them in how we record them as a group. Before your next meeting, in-person or online, consider trying one new technique to ensure you’re listening and engaging effectively.
One technique we’ve recommended comes in a follow up email. Send your notes in a document that everyone can access and ask both the leader of the meeting and everyone involved to take just a few minutes to review. Take it a step further and ask them to add, change, or contribute even a single note or impression of their own, too.
Second, examine the act of listening. We live in a world of nearly constant distraction. Remote working has changed those distractions from office calls and water cooler chats to kids running by or spouses looking for the remote. Encourage everyone to limit distractions during meetings by asking them to put away phones, shutting doors, and sticking to the prepared agenda. Some organizations do best when they designate one specific note-taker, keeping the meeting minutes much like a board meeting.
Finally, ask questions. Not only is this a great way to make sure you’re engaged and understanding, simple questions can often spiral into great ideas. By making sure the issue or topic is well understood, your meeting may actually be able to explore solutions, change perspectives, or reframe things in such a way that really gets you somewhere.
A small note on asking questions. Make sure you’re asking questions that empower the speaker; putting them on the spot to provide answers isn’t always the best way to encourage new thinking. If they had the answer, they wouldn’t be presenting the meeting! Instead, ask questions of comprehension and invite their ideas and the ideas of other employees. Balance brainstorming with focus, and never be afraid to kick certain things into small discussions later on.
Listening is a far more important skill than speaking even for a leader. It takes practice, and sometimes, it can take the help of others to make sure you’re improving. Never stop empowering your team to create and grow, and never let yourself settle into old habits, either!
We can help structure your meetings to facilitate better habits and more productive conversations. Contact us today to learn more.