Effective communication is essential in any field, but in construction, where projects are complex and involve numerous stakeholders, the ability of project team members to communicate effectively is essential. While sharing your expertise and ideas is an important part of verbal communication, active listening may be even more crucial. In fact, mastering this workplace skill may even help manage your emotions, retain data and information better, and resolve conflict.
Did you know that we hear anywhere from 20 to 100 times faster than we see, and what we hear colors our perceptions and often evokes strong emotions? Unfortunately, many of us get so wrapped up in our own thoughts and agendas that we don’t focus on listening to the input of other team members. A lack of listening not only hampers our abilities, but it also undermines relationships with our colleagues, manager and clients.
Further, you can’t listen when you’re speaking. While there is a time and place to express your thoughts and views, and everyone has the right to do so, it’s important to first do your research through strategic information gathering. One way to do this is by listening to experts, team members and other trusted colleagues.
If you have ever observed a successful CEO or senior manager, you may notice they often ask questions and actively listen before responding. This not only helps to inform their decisions but also makes the people they are interacting with feel heard and valued.
In management guru Peter F. Drucker’s article on executive leadership, he shares eight practices of effective leaders, and the first two are questions to ask. The advice he concludes with is: Listen first, speak last, says Professor Scott Galloway. Further, Galloway provides the following “Four Elements of Good Listening” in his recent blog post:
- Listen: Be present, offer undivided attention, keep an open mind.
- Engage: Maintain eye contact, offer non-verbal cues of attention and response.
- Process: Listen to understand the point; think about what the speaker is trying to communicate, not how you will respond.
- Respond: Ask follow-up questions, offer your own views, and let the speaker be the listener.
Want to learn how to apply this powerful communication tool? Here are eight applicable ways to put active listening to work on your construction projects:
1. Understanding Client Needs:
Clients often have specific requirements and expectations for their construction projects. By actively listening to their needs and concerns, construction professionals can gain a better understanding of the client’s vision, budget constraints and desired outcomes.
2. Clear Communication with Stakeholders:
Construction projects involve collaboration among various stakeholders, including architects, engineers, contractors, and subcontractors. Listening enables effective, clear communication among these parties, reducing the risk of misunderstandings and ensuring that everyone is on the same page. It also helps build trust and understanding, leading to a more cohesive team.
3. Problem Solving:
Construction projects are dynamic, and challenges inevitably arise. Active listening allows team members to identify issues early on, understand the root causes, and collaborate on effective solutions. This proactive approach not only helps prevent delays and cost overruns, but also helps harness the knowledge and talents of team members, resulting in better outcomes for all stakeholders.
4. Safety Considerations:
Safety is a top priority in construction. Encouraging and listening to concerns raised by workers and safety professionals can help the team identify potential hazards and, in turn, implement preventive measures. In addition to contributing to a safer working environment, this also demonstrates respect and care for your staff and trade workers, the lifeblood of any construction company.
5. Quality Assurance:
Understanding quality standards and expectations is crucial for delivering a successful construction project. By listening to the related authorities’ recommendations on how to best uphold the project’s quality control and assurance requirements, construction professionals can ensure the final product meets or exceeds specified standards.
6. Adaptation to Changes:
Construction projects often face changes due to unforeseen circumstances, design modifications, or client requests. Listening to the reasons behind these changes and understanding the implications allows the construction team to adapt and make informed decisions.
7. Client Satisfaction:
Ultimately, a satisfied client is a key measure of success in the construction industry. Actively listening to client feedback, concerns, and preferences helps build trust and fosters a positive working relationship, leading to greater client satisfaction and repeat business.
8. Continuous Improvement:
Listening to stakeholder feedback during a project and after it is completed provides valuable insights for continuous improvement. Understanding what worked well and areas that need enhancement allows construction professionals to refine processes and deliver even better results moving forward.
The power of active listening is an essential construction partnering skill that enhances collaboration and fosters a positive and productive work environment. A powerful tool every project team member should possess, listening contributes to effective communication, problem-solving, safety, quality assurance, client satisfaction, and overall project success.
