How can active listening help you adapt to company culture changes?

Active listening is from a place where you're suspending judgement and listening from a place of curiosity. Instead of looking to answer, active listening is the process of seeking to understand the person you're listening to. This requires empathy, believing the story the other person is sharing and getting curious about why they've chosen the perspective they have and gathering research to help you understand how they came to the conclusion. It is a holistic process where you're not just listening to what is being said but also what isn't being said - emotions, body language, silences. Signals to share you're actively listening could include taking notes, parroting what the other person has said, asking questions to get deeper.

Active listening ensures that the changes made in the company culture are relevant to employees because it's built on their insights and feedback. By involving them in the process, you create a culture that addresses their needs and concerns. This relevance increases their buy-in and engagement, making the cultural shift more effective and sustainable.

Active listening is listening to learn, rather than to respond. Leaders should ideally speak last, to avoid undermining the psychological safety which underpins meaningful contributions; and, while waiting to speak, should genuinely seek out opinions and perspectives which enrich their understanding. This requires embracing genuine curiosity, keeping an open mind to challenges to received wisdom, and resisting the temptations of both affinity bias and confirmation bias.

Culture is tough and slow to change; I liken it to turning the Titanic. But there are times when that is exactly what is needed! And fundamental to changing culture is to welcome and celebrate difference – of opinion, perspective and lived experience. Such a welcome and celebration requires active listening, to authentically embrace what Schumpeter called “creative destruction” – breaking down conventions in order to build them back stronger. By creating a commonly accepted permission for candour, leaders can encourage transparent sharing of ideas and concerns, and can pollinate those by applying the principles of active listening so that the messages are received as wholly as they are sent.

Active listening is crucial for culture change, especially in a diverse international organization like the one I work in. In this dynamic environment, collaboration with people from various cultural backgrounds is a daily occurrence. By actively listening, I gain valuable insights into different cultures, customs, and captivating folk stories. This awareness is essential for adapting to the evolving cultural landscape within the organization. In essence, if you don't actively listen to your surroundings, you miss out on the richness of diverse perspectives, making it challenging to navigate and contribute effectively to the ongoing culture change.

Active listening is about ensuring as leaders, we listen to understand. It’s about resisting the urge to have an answer to everything or throwing about solutions. When it comes to culture change, it is imperative people feel they are being heard, that their fears or concerns acknowledged, and reassurance that action will be taken to safeguard equitable outcomes for everybody. Leaders need to navigate these conversations with care, respect, and compassion underscored by active listening.

To be a good active listener, just really pay attention when someone's talking. Nod your head, show you care, and don't interrupt. Repeat what they say sometimes to make sure you get it. Ask questions to clear things up, and give a quick recap of what they said. Let them know you're following along. Be patient, understanding, and curious. Check in on your listening skills and try to get better at it.

A escuta ativa só acontece quando nos importamos com o que nosso interlocutor quer falar e quando respeitamos de verdade ao outro. Escutar sem distração, deixar de lado o celular principal elemento de distração.

For me, active listening is like a secret weapon for my personal and professional growth. When I truly focus on what others are saying, I not only understand their thoughts better but also become a more effective communicator. In my work, it strengthens collaboration, builds trust, and improves problem-solving. On a personal level, it strengthens my relationships because people feel valued when they know they're being heard. Actively listening is an ongoing learning experience, helping me gain new insights, adapt to different situations, and become more empathetic. Embracing this skill has made me a more well-rounded and influential person, contributing significantly to my success in both my personal and professional life.

-Communicate Early On With Active Listening Skills: Don’t rely on one company-wide email to give you a heads-up on culture changes in the workplace. Plan multiple meetings with HR before aligning to any changes where you can contribute and buy-in. Apply the principles of active listening to understand anxieties, reasons for the change and ultimately ensure a smoother transition. Changes shouldn’t come as a surprise to you. Active listening skills should communicate these in a clear and consistent way on an ongoing basis.