In many organisations, the criticism often heard is, "No one is listening," "Nothing changes anyway, so what's the point?" or "Our people have survey fatigue." These sentiments highlight the common shortcomings of organisational listening programmes and damage trust and employee engagement.
As a leader or manager, how can you demonstrate that you are genuinely committed to listening to your people and drive meaningful improvements to workplace culture?
The role of inclusion and psychological safety
Effective listening in the workplace goes beyond merely hearing what employees say. It involves creating an environment where every voice is valued and heard.
Inclusion and psychological safety are critical components of this environment. By ensuring anonymity in feedback, Harkn provides a platform where employees can express their true feelings without fear of bias or judgment, fostering a culture where all voices are equal.
Here are some actionable tips to show you are serious about listening to your team.
Five ways to show employees you’re listening
1. Ask for their perspective on challenges
Inviting perspectives and opinions from your team is a powerful way to enrich your decision-making and enhance collective sensemaking. It's also an excellent tool for engagement. By sharing a specific challenge and seeking input, you open the door to diverse viewpoints and innovative solutions.
Example: "Hi, it's David. The leadership team has been exploring XYZ, and it's proving to be a challenging topic. I'd love to hear your thoughts and perspectives about it."
To deepen the engagement, consider setting up a Team Room (Harkn’s anonymous, asynchronous focus groups) to encourage deeper discussion.
2. Thank people for engaging
When you notice threads and conversations on Harkn filled with energy and passion, seize the opportunity to let people know you appreciate their perspectives. Thanking contributors for their role in healthy, constructive dialogue reinforces their value and encourages ongoing participation.
3. Acknowledge individual contributors
Even though Harkn maintains anonymity, it's still possible to recognise the positive contributions of individuals. When you see people supporting each other or sharing personal challenges, acknowledging these actions can encourage a culture of care and kindness.
Example: "Hi, it's David. I just wanted to say thank you for your support and encouragement on XYZ. Your positivity is making a difference."
4. Use personal storytelling
Occasionally, sharing a personal story or an observation about something you're proud of can remind people of your presence on Harkn. It also shows that you're engaged and paying attention to what's shared on the platform.
Example: "Hi, it's David. I just wanted to share something that happened this week that made me incredibly proud of this company: <share story>."
5. Host an AMA (Ask Me Anything) Session
AMAs are an excellent way to engage with your team and address their questions directly. While traditional AMAs are face-to-face, hosting an AMA in a Team Room offers the benefits of anonymity and asynchronous participation, which can lead to more thoughtful questions and responses.
Set up a Team Room for a few days and invite people to share their questions for leadership or you as a manager. The anonymity provided by Harkn will encourage more open and honest questions.
Conclusion
Listening is not just about collecting feedback; it's about demonstrating that feedback leads to action and change.
By implementing these tips, leaders can foster a culture of trust and engagement, showing that they truly value and act upon their employees' insights.
Importantly, not all feedback requires immediate action or change.
Sometimes, simply acknowledging and validating the thoughts and ideas shared by employees can be equally powerful.
Demonstrating that you have heard and considered their input helps build trust and encourages ongoing participation, reinforcing the idea that every voice matters.
If you're looking to strengthen employee listening and drive results for your business, take a look at our 101 guide to creating a continuous listening strategy.
