Let’s Be All Ears

One viable solution to employee stress and burnout lies in the simple yet impactful act of active listening.

Employee angst, stress, and burnout is a significant business problem these days. One viable—and relatively immediate—solution lies in the simple yet impactful act of active listening, according to Adi Segal, CEO of Hapi.com. “By committing to this learned and nuanced skill,” he explains, “leaders can readily address the root causes of these issues and ultimately facilitate a potent culture of caring.”

Segal points to some tactical strategies that can help, including:

  • Practice makes perfect. Leaders should regularly schedule and conduct sessions with their employees to practice “the art of listening” rather than just “hearing what someone said.” People must embrace the notion that listening is not just a concept, but rather something that requires intention and action.
  • Train your team. There are numerous emotional intelligence and active listening courses leaders can provide individuals or their entire team. Just as states mandate harassment training, leaders should make listening certification an important part of their own, and their team’s, professional development. Go a step further and make it a prerequisite or requirement for the job.
  • Recommend resources. Analysis by NSC and NORC at the University of Chicago reveals organizations that support mental health see a return of $4 for every $1 invested. With the advent of Certified Listening as a Service (CLaaS) and mHealth platforms, managers can promote mental health apps and resources that increase access to care and human connectivity with 24/7/365 availability, and provide a safe space for team members to vent, relieve stress, and get advice.
Edited by Lorri Freifeld
Lorri Freifeld is the editor/publisher of Training magazine, owned by Lakewood Media Group. She writes on a number of topics, including talent management, training technology, and leadership development. She spearheads two awards programs: the Training APEX Awards and Emerging Training Leaders. A writer/editor for the last 30 years, she has held editing positions at a variety of publications and holds a Master’s degree in journalism from New York University.