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Key points
- High-quality listening builds trust and fosters better teamwork.
- Listening can help reduce work loneliness and boosts engagement.
- High-quality listening creates a safe space for sharing ideas without fear.
- Listening enhances emotional bonds and improves well-being.
As more of us navigate the challenges of remote work, where communication often happens through a screen, one critical skill is becoming a lost art: deep, intentional listening. Whether on Zoom calls or in person, true listening has the power to transform not only our relationships but also our workplace dynamics.
Why Listening Matters Now More Than Ever
In today's fast-paced, digital world, people are lonelier than ever. According to Gallup's State of the Global Workplace: 2024 Report, one in five employees worldwide reported feeling lonely frequently. As remote and hybrid work is becoming the norm, the absence of meaningful face-to-face interactions is deepening this sense of social isolation.
But there’s good news—research shows that the act of high-quality listening can be a powerful antidote to loneliness. Psychologist Barbara Fredrickson’s research on positivity resonance shows that shared moments of positive emotion, mutual care, and synchronized behaviors strengthen emotional connections, leading to greater relationship satisfaction and improved mental health. High-quality listening plays a crucial role in fostering these moments by creating a space where speakers feel heard, valued, and emotionally attuned. When listeners fully engage, they help generate positivity resonance, deepening the connection between both parties and contributing to their overall well-being. High-quality listening at work doesn’t just boost morale—it strengthens the very foundation of successful teamwork.
Listening at Work: The Hidden Key to Productivity
In the workplace, listening is more than a nice-to-have skill; it’s essential. Harvard’s Amy Edmondson has shown that psychological safety—the belief that you can speak up without fear of negative consequences—is critical for innovation. And it all starts with listening. When employees feel truly heard by managers or colleagues, they’re more likely to share creative ideas, even if those ideas challenge the status quo.
But here’s the catch: when employees don’t feel listened to, it can lead to workplace loneliness and disengagement. A study by Ozcelik and Barsade (2018) found that employees who feel isolated are less likely to collaborate effectively, leading to lower performance. High-quality listening—when we are fully present and engaged in what someone is saying—can help break this cycle.
Steps to Become a Better Listener
Becoming a high-quality listener doesn’t require a complete personality overhaul—it just takes a few small changes in how we approach conversations. Here are some practical steps you can implement today:
- Eliminate Distractions: Whether you're on Zoom or face-to-face, turn off notifications, close unnecessary tabs, and give the speaker your full attention.
- Practice Reflective Listening: Summarize what the speaker has said in your own words to ensure you’ve understood and to show that you’re fully engaged.
- Hold Space for Silence: Instead of rushing to respond, give the speaker a few extra seconds to process their thoughts. Sometimes, the most profound insights come after a pause.
- Ask Open-Ended Questions: Encourage deeper conversation by asking thoughtful questions like, “How did that make you feel?” or “Can you tell me more about that?”
- Try a “Listening Challenge”: Over the next week, make it a point to actively listen during one conversation each day. Reflect on how the conversation went, what point you missed, and how you can improve for the next time.
Why Listening Is the Future of Work
As workplaces evolve with increased flexibility and remote collaboration, the demand for high-quality listening will become even more critical. With employees spread across time zones and relying on digital communication tools, the potential for misunderstanding and disengagement grows. Companies that prioritize listening—especially in virtual environments—will be better equipped to foster trust, encourage innovation, and reduce workplace loneliness. The future of work will not just be about efficiency but about creating spaces where employees feel heard and valued, ultimately driving better performance and stronger organizational cultures. Listening will be the key to unlocking more human-centered, resilient, and adaptive workplaces.
By making the effort to listen deeply, we can combat the rising tide of workplace loneliness and create environments where people feel truly heard and valued. In the long run, this doesn’t just lead to happier employees—it fosters innovation, strengthens teams, and builds resilience.
References
Castro, D. R., Anseel, F., Kluger, A. N., Lloyd, K. J., & Turjeman-Levi, Y. (2018). Mere listening effect on creativity and the mediating role of psychological safety. Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts, 12(4), 489.
Itzchakov, G., Weinstein, N., Saluk, D., & Amar, M. (2023). Connection heals wounds: feeling listened to reduces speakers’ loneliness following a social rejection disclosure. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 49(8), 1273-1294.
Kluger, A. N., & Itzchakov, G. (2022). The power of listening at work. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 9(1), 121-146.
Ozcelik, H., & Barsade, S. G. (2018). No employee an island: Workplace loneliness and job performance. Academy of Management Journal, 61(6), 2343-2366.
Zhou, J., & Fredrickson, B. L. (2023). Listen to resonate: Better listening as a gateway to interpersonal positivity resonance through enhanced sensory connection and perceived safety. Current Opinion in Psychology, 101669.
