The art of listening is an important tool for communicating with other people. Here is step 3 in our blog series on how to have the best possible employee conversation in 7 steps:
The art of listening in the employee conversation
Are you listening with a shared, full or targeted focus?
Have you been in an employee conversation where the boss talks the most and you never get into the depth of the conversation? It's about really listening without interpreting or having preconceived notions. It is easy to fill in and above all interpret what the employee has said. Often the boss or the person leading the conversation means well, but when you interpret and explain, the focus and the unconscious are lost to the person in question. This is one of the contributing factors to not being able to get below the surface of the conversation. Ask only short questions: Give room for employees to develop their thoughts!
Focus: To listen with a focused or full focus during most of the conversation.
Challenge: What does the employee say that is not expressed in words?
What does the employee show with their body language or facial expressions and how is the voice used?
How far in the steps below have you come yourself?
Hear - split focus.
2. Listen to - shared focus.
3. Listen for something - focused focus.
4. Active listening - full focus.
Good luck with your employee calls!
Did you miss a step in the employee interview?
Click below and you can read about the different steps
2. Create a good conversation climate
4. Provide high quality feedback
7. Make an optimal follow-up plan
Are you ready for the next step? Read about Provide high quality feedback in part 4 in the blog series on employee interviews.
