Listen to your employees

Jules Ciotta

Do you listen to your employees?  Really listen?  Letting employees talk is not the same as listening.  You have to work at it, the same way you work at anything else you want to succeed at.

1. Put your work away.  As soon as an employee comes to you and wants to talk, put away whatever you're working on. Remove all temptation to do anything.
2. Bite your tongue.  One of the first signs that someone isn't listening is when he or she cuts off the talker in midsentence or mid-thought.  Make sure your employee is finished before you begin speaking.
3. Smile and lean forward.  You'll be amazed at the effect a simple smile can have.  By smiling and leaning forward, you send the message that you're fully engaged in what the person is saying.
4. Always ask questions, even if you don't have any.  Questions tell the employee that you've been listening, and are truly committed to resolving whatever issue is being discussed.
5. Start your own comments by paraphrasing the employee.  Again, this tells the employee that you've been listening; it also helps you get the issue clear in your own head before you speak your thoughts. 

Jules Ciotta is president of Motivation Communications Associates. He can be reached at (770) 457-4100 or julesciotta@comcast.net.