Listening Has Its Rewards
Recently, I met with an old friend and colleague to talk about promoting my business and potential new projects. While discussing several different subjects, the conversation drifted into the topic of interoffice communication, and keys to verbal communication.
When a company has several branch locations – as does Landscape Warehouse – or several landscaping crews operating out of different district offices – as do some CLCA members – it’s important to have a system where information is passed on to all sectors in a timely manner.
Some companies use their safety meetings and tailgate meetings to pass on information. Others have company newsletters, regular texts, or weekly emails to update employees in their various sectors. And some have all of the above. Whatever the form of communication that fits your company’s structure, it is imperative that the right hand always knows what the left hand is doing to ensure that employees are never working cross purposely.
Good company communication helps employees see the big picture, become aware of the company’s overall goals, and helps them feel they are part of the reason why the company is achieving those goals. To use an old teambuilding proverb, this is so your employees are all “pulling together on the same rope in the same direction.” Once our new business operating system is completely functional, we will update our company’s communications program using its new technology.
But what about verbal communication? What is the key there? In a word, LISTENING. Learning to be a good listener has its rewards. While speaking clearly or expressing your opinions are important, true communication begins with the ability to listen. When someone is listened to, either in a work setting or in one’s personal life, they feel their words and ideas have value, and that they are respected.
As entrepreneurs, we have developed our own style – sometimes the hard way – how to communicate verbally in the various settings of life. You don’t talk to your employees as you do with your suppliers. And you don’t talk with friends the same way you talk with your wife. (At least I hope you don’t.) But you can listen the same way with all of them.
Listening teaches patience and self-control, as it requires focusing on others instead of immediately responding. In personal conversations, I prefer letting people say everything that’s on their mind without my interruptions. Then it’s my turn to talk. This way when an employee has a gripe, or has an idea to improve business, he or she is able to get the whole matter out before they’re cut off by my comments. And I avoid having an employee who will no longer approach me with a complaint or new idea, or one feeling frustrated the rest of the week.
How-to books say that the best way to make a new friend is not to immediately start talking about yourself, but to ask questions concerning them, and then listen. Believe or not, the more they talk about themselves, the smarter – and more interesting – they think you are.
– José Robles, owner, Landscape Warehouse