The Importance of Active Listening to Leaders and Managers

In this episode of the "Psych in Business" podcast, your host, Dr. Ernest Wayde delves into the importance of active listening as a critical skill and behavior for effective leadership. He emphasizes that while communication typically centers around speaking and writing, active listening, which involves truly understanding and appreciating what others are saying, often goes overlooked. Dr. Wayde introduces the concept of active listening as a psychotherapeutic technique used by therapists to fully comprehend clients' words, emotions, facial expressions, and body language. He stresses the significance of listening not just to react or argue but to genuinely understand and respect others' perspectives. Dr. Wayde also discusses the relevance of active listening in the workplace, where many employees feel their leaders are not genuinely listening to them. He emphasizes the importance of managers engaging in active listening to better understand and appreciate their employees' perspectives.To practice active listening effectively, Dr. Wayde provides several key tips: giving your full attention, making eye contact, avoiding interruptions, reflecting on what was said, clarifying to ensure understanding, and summarizing the message. He advises setting aside biases and the urge to defend one's point of view, as active listening requires a non-judgmental and empathetic approach.You can visit his business website at: https://www.waydeconsulting.com/