Listen and Learn

Are you ready to listen to all viewpoints at all times, regardless of the time, cost, or stage in the decision-making process? If not, how much time and effort are you willing to put into improving your listening? Needless to say, modeling and promoting a heightened commitment toward listening to all viewpoints helps create an open, “anything is possible” culture that fosters creativity, innovation, and better strategic decision-making. Once people in the organization become accustomed to the constant sharing of their viewpoints, they will learn to do it at the most appropriate times along the decision making path, without being directed to do so.

The practice of listening to all viewpoints, if implemented consistently and thoroughly in the organization, can become a powerful tool and process for analysis, due diligence, and effective decision making in any business enterprise. The most admired companies work hard at consistently listening to all viewpoints because they’ve learned that when they don’t, they fail to tap the most important power source in their organizations—the knowledge and talent of their people.

Johnson & Johnson continues to win accolades from around the world for its professionalism and excellence. For more than 70 years, the company has been guided by a credo, a portion of which focuses on employees: “We are responsible to our employees, the men and women who work with us throughout the world. Everyone must be considered as an individual. We must respect their dignity and recognize their merit. Employees must feel free to make suggestions and complaints.”

This credo supports the company’s view of its people as “unique individuals” who need to be heard and understood. Leaders are expected to “listen and act appropriately to input from all levels and all directions.” Johnson & Johnson thrives on listening to all viewpoints inside and outside the company, making the behemoth as nimble as a start-up company in the marketplace. No wonder it’s regularly ranked as one of the most desirable places to work. Johnson & Johnson understands and applies the principle: Listen and learn how to get better and better.

Have you been listening to your people? Do you recognize the difference between hearing and listening? When you are listening, do you listen with the intent to truly understand? Are you willing to ask questions before jumping to conclusions? To learn more about how to create an organizational culture that demonstrates listening and learning attitudes and behaviors, join our Accountability Community at www.partnersinleadership.com, where you can review actual company experiences and results.

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