The world of business is in a constant state of flux. Because market forces, emerging technologies and internal dynamics ensure change, leaders must be able to adapt quickly and rally employees behind a shared vision to manage change successfully. Active listening helps to establish trust, demonstrate empathy and give people a voice during uncertain times. By listening actively, leaders empower individuals to become invested in new initiatives.
Carleton University recognizes these communication skills are essential to managing change effectively. The online Master of Business Administration (MBA) concentration in Management and Change program develops advanced active listening leadership abilities. This AACSB-accredited program prepares graduates to drive innovation and lead agile teams. Core courses explore knowledge methodologies, organizational change techniques and strategies for leading individuals, teams and organizations. With active listening as a core competency, managers can maintain morale when navigating change.
What Is Active Listening?
Active listening is a powerful communication tool that leaders can leverage during periods of change. It requires dedicating one’s full attention to the speaker. Rather than passively hearing words, the listener strives to understand context, read nonverbal cues and identify the emotion and intent behind the message.
This level of engagement develops trust and demonstrates respect for the speaker’s perspective. When employees feel their leaders truly care about what they have to say, they become more open to change. Asking thoughtful follow-up questions and restating key points shows the listener is trying to grasp concerns, objections and undercurrents of confusion.
Leaders who listen actively to their teams create open forums for discussion. This gives them insights into how each individual is coping with change. They can then provide targeted support, resources or training to those struggling or resisting change. In this way, the practice enables leaders to facilitate smoother transitions. It is an invaluable skill for uniting and motivating people during challenging times.
Develop the Key Components of Active Listening
Mastering the art of active listening requires going beyond just hearing words. Leaders must learn to read body language and decipher nonverbal cues like facial expressions, tone of voice and gestures. Maintaining eye contact, nodding periodically and leaning in show full engagement. Verbal affirmations also demonstrate the leader is absorbing the message, but comments should be limited to avoid interrupting the speaker.
Another key component is proactively seeking employees’ opinions, insights and suggestions. Leaders should not just listen when approached; they must also create opportunities to draw out thoughts and concerns.
Regular one-on-one meetings are a great way to empower employees to share their ideas. Some leaders hold weekly office hours where team members can stop by, while others schedule meetings. Sending out pre-meeting surveys or post-event feedback forms (for group and individual meetings) demonstrates interest in collecting perspectives. When employees know their viewpoints are actively solicited, they feel comfortable speaking openly and honestly.
Managers and executives should acknowledge that employees’ insights matter, even when viewpoints differ. Validating feelings and experiences shows empathy and respect. Leaders should listen without immediate judgment and let employees fully express their thoughts before responding. If a comment gives the leader pause, they can simply state, “I will need some time to consider what you have said.” This establishes receptiveness without forcing immediate agreement.
Active listening must always lead to action and feedback. After a productive listening session, leaders should express appreciation and outline the next steps based on the employee’s input. Even small gestures like scheduling additional check-ins show the employee’s voice had an impact. When people see concrete outcomes from sharing their perspectives, they tend to continue engaging authentically.
Critical Benefits of Active Listening and Empathy During Change
During tumultuous times, active listening and empathy become essential leadership skills. Making each employee feel valued and understood fosters inclusivity and taps into diverse perspectives, allowing for more informed decision-making. When people know their voice matters, they share crucial insights otherwise missed.
Seeking to understand different viewpoints also helps leaders better communicate vision and purpose in a way that resonates across the organization. Active listening promotes transparency, while empathy builds trust and unity. Together, these skills empower leaders to gain alignment during periods of uncertainty and make effective decisions guided by collective wisdom.
Learn What It Takes to Be an Effective Change Management Leader
Active listening empowers leaders to guide organizations through change with insight and care. The online Change Management MBA program from the Sprott School of Business at Carleton University cultivates these critical skills for navigating uncertainty. Concentration courses like Leading and Managing Change provide strategies for responding to shifts with agility with lessons on analyzing responses to change, managing transitions and transforming culture. The Conflict and Negotiation course builds negotiation competencies to turn clashes into opportunities for collective growth. The Power and Influence course explores sources of power and effective influence tactics to help others during disruption.
By honing these skills through a robust curriculum, graduates gain the ability to foster inclusivity, alignment and wise decision-making during times of turmoil. With these leadership capacities, they can be relied upon to steer organizations toward shared success through inevitable change.
Learn more about Carleton University’s online Master of Business Administration concentration in Management and Change program.