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Creating a workplace where everyone collaborates effectively, shares ideas openly, and works toward common goals sounds great in theory—but it’s much harder to put into practice. At Arvo Tech, innovation drives our success, and that means our team must be able to work together seamlessly. 

Listening is key to that process, because listening is about much more than just hearing words—it’s about understanding and responding thoughtfully. Listening is at the core of how we find solutions, build trust, and geek out about great ideas.

Say less

Listening isn’t just a “soft skill” or a nice-to-have. When done well, it leads to tangible outcomes. 

Spark ideas

When you listen actively, you open the door to a wider range of ideas, which leads to more creative solutions. Research from Harvard Business Review shows that companies with a strong focus on diversity of thought are more likely to succeed.

Spot problems early

Listening closely helps identify problems before they snowball. Whether it’s a project issue or a team conflict, active listening prevents costly mistakes. According to Project Management Institute, poor communication is one of the leading causes of project failure.

Collaborate

When employees feel heard, they’re more likely to collaborate. Listening creates an open environment where people feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas. As highlighted by Gallup, effective communication and collaboration lead to higher engagement, greater productivity, and stronger performance.

Build trust 

Trust is the foundation of any high-performing team. Listening shows employees their opinions matter, which builds trust and loyalty. However, trust is fragile—once broken, it’s hard to rebuild. The Center for Creative Leadership points out that trust is critical for team success and requires consistent effort to maintain.

Retain good people

Employees who feel their voices are valued are more likely to stay with the company. Gallup found that employees who are actively engaged and feel heard are 4.6 times more likely to stay with their employer, which can help reduce turnover and boost overall satisfaction.

Listen…

Building a culture of listening requires more than just hearing employees—it’s about creating a space where everyone feels comfortable contributing. Here’s how to actually do that.

Model

Leaders must model active listening. This means being present, asking thoughtful questions, and showing that employee input is valued. McKinsey emphasizes that leadership behavior drives organizational culture—make listening a visible priority, and others will follow.

Pay attention

Listening isn’t just about the words being spoken. Body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions all provide important context. A Forbes study found that non-verbal communication plays a huge role in building trust and engagement, especially in leadership.

Check assumptions

Don’t jump to conclusions. Everyone sees things differently. Challenge your own perceptions and approach each conversation with curiosity. As Harvard Business School points out, assumptions often lead to misunderstandings. Instead, focus on asking open-ended questions that invite a deeper conversation.

Validate emotions

Emotions influence decision-making, even in business. While leaders might be tempted to avoid emotional conversations, American Psychological Association research shows that acknowledging emotions leads to stronger relationships and better problem-solving. Validate feelings to move toward solutions faster.

Be patient

Listening takes time. Don’t rush to fix problems immediately. Sometimes, just being present and allowing employees to express themselves is the most effective way to address issues. Psychology Today stresses that patience is crucial for building trust and understanding.

Create safe spaces

For people to open up, they need to feel safe. That means fostering an environment where employees can share feedback without fear of judgment. Amy Edmondson’s research on psychological safety shows that teams with open communication are more likely to thrive.

Ask open-ended questions

Open-ended questions encourage dialogue, and dialogue leads to richer insights and more productive conversations. Mind Tools recommends framing questions in a way that invites exploration rather than simple yes/no responses.

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The cost of not listening is high. Here’s what can happen if it’s ignored.

Lost focus

Without active listening, important details are missed, leading to misalignment and wasted time. According to Business News Daily, poor communication can result in costly mistakes and project delays.

Discord

If employees feel ignored, frustration builds, leading to disengagement and conflict. According to Gallup, disengaged employees are less productive and more likely to cause friction within teams.

Silos

Failure to listen leads to communication breakdowns between teams, creating silos that can be hard to break up. McKinsey & Company highlights that breaking down silos is crucial for innovation and efficiency.

Missed opportunities

Listening helps uncover new opportunities and insights. If leaders aren’t tuned in, they risk missing out on ideas that could drive growth. Harvard Business Review explains that companies who fail to listen to their teams often miss key opportunities for innovation.

We’re all ears

Listening isn’t just about hearing—it’s about understanding and responding. It’s something we practice internally to drive innovation, but it’s also something we do when talking to our clients. 

That’s because we provide custom solutions to our clients’ specific tax situations. Listening is the first step we take toward doing this well, and it comes naturally because we practice it in our workplace everyday.

This blog was inspired by insights shared on the Listening with Leaders podcast, featuring our President Terracina Maxwell and Doug Noll, which highlights the critical role listening plays in leadership and organizational success.