Author: Arun Sharma

“We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.”

“No one ever learned anything by talking.”

Greek Philosopher – Epictetus

Effective communication is the key ability and the cornerstone of all interpersonal relationships. We are constantly expressing ourselves to those around us, both verbally and nonverbally. Effective communication is the secret to building relationships with people and increasing our influence over them.

Most individuals can understand this concept, but very few can master it, and the most common barrier is poor listening skills. People frequently exhibit a lack of awareness of the significance of excellent listening. They listen to respond rather than to understand. If one does not understand the other person, how well will he be able to connect with him? Just think back on your own experiences. You have likely had training in speaking, reading, handling arguments, and a variety of other abilities, but have you ever received instruction that helps you listen better?

The majority of individuals only pay attention to the words when they are actively trying to listen. But as we all know, it’s important to pay attention to both what is said and what has been left unsaid in order to fully comprehend a situation and a person. You must pay close attention to the emotions and body language of the people to understand the real meaning of what they are saying. Advanced skills like contemplative and empathic listening must be developed. It takes a lot of time and patience to master this.

Mastering the art of listening is a valuable skill that can enhance communication, build stronger relationships, and foster understanding. Here are some key practices to help you improve your listening skills:

1. Be in the current moment

Our minds are known to work faster than our speech. The majority of unproductive people lack patience, and they start thinking about their response even while the other person is still speaking. This causes problems that our attention is shifted from the other’s speech to our own thoughts and perceptions. We are simply unable to grasp the point that the speaker is trying to convey.

Develop the practice and habit of paying attention and remaining in the present moment. Pay close attention to what is being said. Eliminate distractions, put away electronic devices, and maintain eye contact. Make it clear that you are genuinely curious about what they have to say.

2. Practice Active Listening and Show Empathy

Engage in active listening by focusing on the speaker’s words, non-verbal cues, and emotions. Avoid interrupting or preparing responses in your mind while they are still speaking. Instead, concentrate on understanding their message.Just visualize and understand the difference in the meaning of the same answer (‘I am fine’) when someone asks the same question (‘How are you’) in two entirely different situations. One involves a person who has just miraculously survived an accident, and the other is a depressed individual who has just experienced yet another setback or rejection. The response – ‘I am fine’, coming from the person who escaped the accident moments ago carries with it the emotion of gratitude whereas the same answer coming from a depressed person carries with it the feeling of helplessness and despondency.

Put yourself in the speaker’s shoes and listen to understand the emotions behind the words. Show empathy by trying to assess the mental state the speaker is in. Only then you will be able to get to the core of their thoughts and perceptions. Once you listen in this way, it gives confidence to the speaker and they open up more in front of you and connect more deeply. It leads to the development of bonding and strengthening of relations.

3. Don’t judge others

Steven Covey in his book 7 Habits of Highly Effective People says that many of us are in the habit of listening to others while reading from our autobiography, meaning we see things from our own perspective. As a result, we frequently pass judgment on others based on our own expectations and experiences. We are supposed to see the world through our own lenses rather than ‘as it is’. In order to connect with other people you need to refrain from making judgments or jumping to conclusions prematurely. Listen without bias and be open to different opinions and ideas. Remember that listening is about understanding, not necessarily agreeing to everything being said.

4. Ask questions to gain clarity

To make sure you have a clear understanding of the speaker’s message, ask questions when necessary. It is always better to ask it then and there, rather than moving on to the next topic and not getting to know the concerns of the speaker. Ask open-ended questions that encourage the speaker to elaborate and provide more information. Most people will be more than happy to repeat what they said and with greater clarity to ensure that you understand the actual meaning behind their words. When you ask questions, you tell the speaker that you are interested and paying close attention.

5. Be Patient

Being patient in listening to someone is of utmost importance for effective communication and building meaningful relationships. Allow the speaker to express their thoughts fully. Avoid rushing or finishing their sentences. Some people may take longer to articulate their ideas, and interrupting can hinder their communication. Your patience will encourage openness, enhance understanding and build trust.

6. Practice Reflective Listening

Reflect back on what the speaker has said to demonstrate that you have understood them correctly. Paraphrase their words and summarize the key points to show that you are actively processing their message.

7. Communication has to be two way

Try to understand that effective communication occurs when all parties receive a sufficient amount of time and opportunity, not when you dominate the topic. Instead, it will be helpful if you let the others speak first. This will offer you a better understanding of their perspectives. I’ve observed a lot of managers that indulge in monologues all the time because they enjoy their voice a little too much. These are the same people that later complain about the staff’s general lack of enthusiasm and the lack of innovative ideas. Aim to always have a productive conversation with your folks to strengthen your bonds. In the words of Simon Sinek, “A leader is the one who speaks last and acts first.”

In the end realize that our speech gives us expression and our listening gives us understanding. 

Once again as Epictetus said “Listening is the beginning of understanding. Wisdom is the reward for a lifetime of listening.” Listen well and make your communication skills more effective. Tupac Shakur was right when he said:

“If you let a person talk long enough you’ll hear their true intentions. Listen twice, speak once.”

In order to succeed, productivity remains the lifeblood of any company. You might greatly boost your company’s revenues and possibly take the lead in your category if you could figure out how to make your team more productive and efficient. Making your team members productive and efficient is a challenging task, but it is wise to pay more attention to this area given the importance placed on completing tasks on time and meeting deadlines in today’s workplace.

To keep your people at peak state of performance for enhanced productivity, motivated and happy, take care of these few things:

1. Lead from the Front

People will follow you quite naturally if you have the personality that inspires them. You should be able to convey to them a clear picture of your goals as a leader. Show that you have a good work ethic, ethics, and a dedication to growth. Create a culture that values each team member and is collaborative. Your staff needs to see that you practice what you preach. If you take the initiative, you’ll be astounded at how much production can increase. Be a leader, lead by example, and then subtly leave them to do the chores on their own.

2. Set Clear Goals and Expectations

People will be able to achieve remarkable results when they have clear goals to focus on. It is said, ‘you get what you focus on.’ Just take care that the goals for your team members are specific, measurable and with a timeline attached to it. The goals that you set for them should be realistic. They should not be too low that they don’t inspire them, at the same time they should not be too high that people think them to be too stiff and don’t find them attainable.

3. Make them feel Important

Ensure the welfare of your staff members. As businessman Richard Branson famously put it, ” Clients do not come first, employees come first. If you take care of your employees, they will take care of clients.” They feel more like a member of the huge family when you show a sincere interest in their hobbies and personal lives, and happy employees will go above and beyond to increase productivity at work.

4. Make Them Feel Secure On the Job

Yes, it is one of the most overlooked aspects of corporate culture in today’s business world when shareholder profits ranks higher than employee job security. However, it must be acknowledged that employees who feel safe and at ease in their work and who are confident in their leaders’ support are much more likely to be creative and productive. It is preferable to choose candidates after conducting thorough research rather than employing and firing people arbitrarily to the detriment of the company.

5. Acknowledge Good Efforts

Team members who are motivated and happy are the most productive. Acknowledging your staff early on is one of the best methods to support them in their efforts. People will work more diligently if they feel valued. You can reward someone by publicly recognizing them, giving them a financial incentive, or giving them a promotion. Keep in mind that everyone craves appreciation and a sense of importance, and a real leader understands how to inspire others. When you meet this desire in employees, they become strongly attached to the business and work with much more conviction and excitement, which in turn increases productivity and efficiency at work.

6. Focus on adequate Training and Development

One of the strongest desires in all people is to grow and progress. By setting up coaching, courses, and seminars, provide your staff the chance to develop their skills and capacities. This will benefit the business as well because talented employees perform more effectively. Many organizations tend to think that they are saving on the expenses by ignoring this vital aspect of skill development, but this could backfire and make the workforce redundant over a long period of time.

7. Give Feedback

It’s crucial to provide timely feedback in order to increase productivity. Create a culture of regular performance reviews so that you can let your people know what they are doing well and what needs to be improved. Maintain two-way and open communication in which you also inquire about your team member’s needs. Prove to them that you respect their opinions and are open to criticism as well.

8. Say No to Favoritism

Never ever let your employees think that they are not treated equally. A leader who favors some members of the team will soon have a team that is divided on personal grounds, which will have a negative impact on productivity.

9. Offer Work-Life Balance

In today’s fast-paced world, everyone is stressed out, so if the workplace provides its staff with a setting or working conditions where they may escape this pressure, they will undoubtedly enjoy it. Give your staff a certain number of days or flexible hours to work from home. Encourage breaks, and discourage excessive overtime. Give the female workforce access to child care facilities and maternity benefits. These actions have been demonstrated to reduce absenteeism and they are more likely to be focused and productive during working hours.

10. Equip Your Office Right

To maximize the productivity of your office, make sure that the environment is comfortable and pleasing. You should also make sure that the supplies are appropriate and the equipment you use on a daily basis is decent. Outdated equipment or software can hinder productivity, so regularly assess and upgrade as needed. Don’t give your team any justifications for being ineffective. The staff will feel happier if the workspace is light, airy, and welcoming. The output of such individuals will undoubtedly be far higher than that of those who work in subpar offices.

Only those people who truly feel like an integral part of the team go above and beyond for their clients and employers. People adopt a totally different frame of positive thinking when they are treated well, recognized for their abilities, and given opportunities for progress. This inevitably contributes to higher employee retention and greater organizational effectiveness.