| Getting to know your people well is one of the most | | | | Within that equality, you are able to leverage the |
| important activities for anyone in a management or | | | | perspectives, skills and talents that cumulatively, your |
| supervisory position. Armed with good knowledge | | | | people will bring to your team. |
| about your people, you can make effective and often | | | | This is so much more than just you. |
| rapid progress. | | | | By listening carefully, you build your relationship and you |
| Taking the time to spend with them, as often as you | | | | help them develop. Your people learn that they |
| can and as one-to-one as you can is the first step, but | | | | themselves are powerful contributors and that you |
| what do you do with that important time? | | | | value them. |
| Whilst many might say that spending the time telling | | | | They learn as they speak as they see you listen, |
| them about your ideas and plans for the future; the | | | | because it gives them the time and confidence to |
| way you want them to work for you and what your | | | | process thoughts and ideas as they go. |
| expectations are would be right, there is one activity | | | | This works for many people in itself, whilst to be fair, |
| that is much more important. | | | | some prefer to consider matters for themselves in |
| Taking the time to listen to them, closely where | | | | their own time, yet with the time you've given them |
| possible, is an incredibly important behavior for any | | | | and that free space to air their thoughts, they will have |
| manager to demonstrate, as often as they can. | | | | a head start when they start to think through issues |
| So, why does listening matter as a tool to develop | | | | for themselves. |
| your people? Well, listening is the vital tool that will | | | | Listening shows them that you take them seriously |
| make you stand out as a great manager. | | | | and that their contribution makes a difference. Whilst |
| It has its twists and turns that you need to practice | | | | this might seem pretty much a given, you will be |
| and that will enhance it as a productive skill for you as | | | | amazed at how many employees feel that they don't |
| you evolve, because listening to others creates a | | | | matter and that 'nobody ever listens'. Even though you |
| partnership that is much more equal than the old | | | | think you might have it right, there's always scope to |
| command and control management structures. | | | | expand and learn yourself - as you listen. |