Yes, Directors/ Executives – This Message Is For You!
Meetings are supposed to be a time for collaboration, problem-solving, and decision-making. Yet, they often devolve into a frustrating experience where team members feel unheard and unvalued. As leaders—whether you’re a director, executive, or business owner—your engagement in meetings directly impacts your team’s morale, productivity, and ultimately, the bottom line.
Why Active Listening Matters
Active listening isn’t just about hearing words; it’s about fully engaging with the speaker, understanding their message, and responding thoughtfully.
>>>>> When leaders check their phones, reply to emails, or zone out during discussions, it sends a clear message to employees: your input doesn’t matter. Think about it, how the heck would you feel?<<<<<<
Over time, this behavior can breed frustration, lower employee engagement, and even impact your organization’s success.
A 2020 study by Gallup found that engaged employees are 21% more productive and generate 17% higher profitability than disengaged employees. When employees feel like they’re truly being listened to, they’re more likely to feel motivated and committed to the organization’s goals. However, when leaders fail to listen actively, it undermines that commitment, leading to disengagement.
The Impact of Disengaged Leaders
When higher-ups make decisions without considering input from the team, it creates a toxic environment. Employees feel their voices don’t matter, and worse, they may start to question why meetings are even happening. If the leadership team is already making decisions without involving the people on the ground, it can make the whole process feel like a mere formality. This lack of engagement from leadership often leads to lower morale and higher turnover.
It’s not just the feeling of being ignored that’s problematic—decisions made without full team input often miss the mark. A study published by Harvard Business Review showed that inclusive decision-making leads to better outcomes. When employees feel their ideas are valued, the final decisions are more likely to be innovative, practical, and accepted by the team.
When Leadership Isn’t Present
In some cases, the solution might be simpler than you think: maybe the higher-ups don’t need to attend every meeting.
>>>>> If meetings run more smoothly and decisions are more easily made without leadership in the room, it might be time to reassess their role in those discussions.
Sometimes, less can be more. When leaders are constantly present in every meeting, it can create an atmosphere where employees are hesitant to speak up or feel pressured to agree with the higher-ups. However, when leadership trusts their teams and steps back, it can empower employees to take ownership, think critically, and share their ideas more freely.
The Statistics Speak for Themselves
According to a report by McKinsey & Company, companies with high employee engagement outperform their peers by 147% in earnings per share. Moreover, businesses with engaged employees experience 22% higher profitability. This makes it clear that when employees are engaged, when they feel heard and valued, they contribute to the company’s growth and success. But this level of engagement starts at the top. Leaders who actively listen and engage with their teams set the tone for the rest of the organization.
How to Lead Through Active Listening
As a leader, your behavior sets the standard for your team. Here are a few ways to encourage active listening in meetings:
- Put Away the Distractions: Put down the phone, close your laptop, and give the speaker your full attention.
- Acknowledge and Validate: Show that you’re engaged by acknowledging key points and asking thoughtful questions.
- Encourage Feedback: Create a safe environment where team members feel comfortable sharing their ideas without fear of dismissal.
- Follow Through: Show that you value the input by making decisions that reflect the team’s ideas and feedback.
Listening is Leadership
Leaders who actively listen foster a culture of respect, collaboration, and engagement. When employees feel like their voices matter, they’re more likely to invest their energy into their work. And when your team is fully engaged, the impact is felt not just in morale, but also in your company’s financial performance.
So, directors, executives, and business owners, the next time you’re in a meeting, remember that the act of listening is not just a courtesy—it’s a powerful tool for business success.
Don’t take my word for it. Check out these resources. Then start active listening to your team. Your excuses are no longer valid!
- McKinsey & Company’s Report on Employee Disengagement Costs: This report analyzes the financial impact of employee disengagement and attrition, estimating annual losses of up to $355 million for median-sized S&P 500 companies.
- McKinsey’s Report on the Cost of Unhappy Workers: This report discusses how worker attrition and disengagement can lead to significant annual losses, emphasizing the financial impact of employee dissatisfaction.
- Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace Report: This comprehensive report discusses the global cost of disengaged employees, estimating a loss of $8.8 trillion in productivity, and emphasizes the importance of addressing employee engagement.
- Gallup’s Research on Employee Engagement and Earnings Per Share (EPS): This study examines how engaged workforces contribute to higher EPS, highlighting the financial benefits of employee engagement.
- Gallup’s Meta-Analysis on Employee Engagement and Team Performance: This study highlights the relationship between employee engagement and various business outcomes, including productivity and profitability.
