Listening – a key to strong team relationships

Everyone agrees that listening is an essential skill (whether they do it or not is a different story). It improves relationships, builds trust, and transforms teams. But if we’re honest, most of us aren’t as good at listening as we’d like to think. Walk yourself through your last experience as a listener: did you demonstrate attentiveness? Did you consider the other person’s motivations behind the conversation? Did you share how you felt only when it was appropriate? If you answered no, it could be time to reassess your listening approach.

When we show we’re truly listening, it’s much more rewarding for the person talking to you, and you’ll get more out of it too. Active listening – listening for a person’s motives and values – helps avoid misunderstandings and reduces potential conflict. To help you know what to listen for, here are some ideas.

LISTENING TIPS

If you’re listening to a person that values:

Putting others first

Working effectively with Blues means you will need to understand what they are saying. Listening well to Blues will ensure that they feel heard, and know that you appreciate them and their intent to help. When you are listening, and engaging in dialogue, keep this in mind:

Interpret through the lens of who they are trying to support.

Getting things done quickly

Working effectively with Reds means you will need to understand what they are saying. Listening well to Reds will ensure that they feel heard, and know that you understand what they are trying to do. When you are listening, and engaging in dialogue, keep this in mind:

Interpret through the lens of their ultimate goal or objective.

Making sure the right process is followed

Working effectively with Greens means you will need to understand what they are saying. Listening well to Greens will ensure that they feel heard, and know that you understand the reasoning behind their statements. When you are listening, and engaging in dialogue, keep this in mind:

Interpret through the lens of underlying principles or logic.

Encouraging others to succeed

Working effectively with Red-Blues means you will need to understand what they are saying. Listening well to Red-Blues will ensure that they feel heard, and know that you appreciate their efforts on behalf of others. When you are listening, and engaging in dialogue, keep this in mind:

Interpret through the lens of how they are trying to build up other people.

Helping others become self-sufficient

Working effectively with Blue-Greens means you will need to understand what they are saying. Listening well to Blue-Greens will ensure that they feel heard, and know that you understand the principles that guide them. When you are listening, and engaging in dialogue, keep this in mind:

Interpret through the lens of security and predictability.

Crafting winning strategies

Working effectively with Red-Greens means you will need to understand what they are saying. Listening well to Red-Greens will ensure that they feel heard, and know that you understand what they see as the most logical course of action. When you are listening, and engaging in dialogue, keep this in mind:

Interpret through the lens of how things fit with the bigger strategy.

Bringing all team perspectives together

Working effectively with Hubs means you will need to understand what they are saying. Listening well to Hubs will ensure that they feel heard, and know that you want them to be included. When you are listening, and engaging in dialogue, keep this in mind:

Interpret through the lens of how they are trying to maintain future flexibility.

Listening is more than hearing – it’s understanding.

Want to learn more about how listening and other skills contribute to strong teams?

Experience SDI – a tool for better listening and collaboration

The Strength Deployment Inventory (SDI) is an engaging online tool that helps you understand both yourself and others.
Through SDI, you gain insight into your own motivations and learn how to communicate and listen more effectively in teams.

The SDI results include: