Published in EBL Express in January 2022
Let’s Listen!
Every day, whether at work or in our personal lives, we engage in countless conversations, meetings, discussions, and interactions. We speak with colleagues, managers, team members, friends, and family—so one might naturally ask: If we are already listening to people every day, why do we need to talk about “Let’s Listen”? Because hearing is not the same as listening.
Listening is an essential leadership skill, and active listening matters significantly in performance management. Effective performance conversations are not only about setting expectations, reviewing results, or providing feedback. They are also about creating a safe space where people feel heard, understood, and valued. When leaders genuinely listen, they can better understand the challenges behind performance, recognize individual strengths, identify development needs, and uncover ideas that may otherwise remain unheard. Active listening means giving someone your full attention, asking meaningful questions, understanding before responding, and being open to perspectives that may differ from your own.
Ultimately, better listening leads to better conversations—and better conversations lead to stronger performance, stronger relationships, and stronger teams.
