At a time when attrition rates are high and it is becoming harder to retain employees, many companies recognize that there needs to be a change. In response to the changing labor force, some are completely restructuring their business models and building a company culture of active listening.
What Is Active Listening?
Active listening is so much more than simply preparing to receive information. When you do it successfully, you are listening with all your senses and engaged in the communication. It includes the observation of verbal and non-verbal cues as well as the ability to reflect and analyze what is being said. When you engage in active listening, there is a mutual understanding between the speaker and the listener that information isn’t only being exchanged, but absorbed and analyzed.
How Does It Apply to Corporate Culture?
Over the last few years, the corporate world and its culture have been changing. There has been a shift away from traditional work environments. Instead, we are moving toward a remote model that is decentralizing the workforce.
In order to thrive in this new space, companies must not only adapt but transform their entire culture to meet the needs of a non-traditional workforce. As part of the transformation, many are restructuring their business around the inverted pyramid, placing employees and above all, the customers, at the forefront. Doing so creates a corporate culture that is inclusive of all employees and responsive to their needs.
The Benefits of Building a Company Culture of Active Listening
Culture drives behavior, so a good employee experience will drive a better customer experience. Emphasizing active listening within your corporate structure has many benefits, especially as it is becoming harder to attract and retain employees. However, to make a successful transformation, you must lead by example to establish a company culture of active listening.
If your leadership models the behavior, you demonstrate that you are sincere about creating a caring and reciprocal relationship with all your employees. It will begin to build trust and become ingrained in your company’s core values. As this trust and confidence in leadership increases, it will lead to greater job satisfaction. And everyone knows that happy employees produce better results with your customers.
The consultants at P3 are experts in communication and can show you how to implement an effective campaign to transform your corporate culture.