When you’re a manager one of your best tools is your ears. Asking questions is easy but really listening to the answers will not only build trust but also help you understand the person better; their strengths, weaknesses and desires. It’s so important to listen carefully to what your team are telling your in your 121 sessions. Listen carefully to not just what they say but how they say it and their body language is saying too.
Don’t be scared of the silence. Sometimes when you ask a particularly difficult question or one that perhaps the individual doesn’t want to answer there will be a protracted silence. Don’t be tempted to fill this with your own answer, be still and give them time to respond.
You’ll be surprised by what you learn.
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