Listening communicates respect.
Many folks remain silent because they have been conditioned by others who don’t listen. If you don’t think anyone will listen to your thoughts or opinions, you stay silent rather than risk an opinion. The result is stilted, one way communication. Ideas are withheld. Solutions are buried.
Thus, a leader must recognize the courage summoned and the risk taken when someone speaks up. Especially, when the one speaking has done so rarely in the past.
When someone tries on speaking up, listening with intent to hear communicates respect.
An environment of respect exists with all effective teams. Listening is a fundamental that teammates must use.
