Active listening means giving focused attention to another person’s message, understanding their perspective, and responding in a way that keeps communication open. For engineering managers, it supports fair treatment, trust, conflict resolution, and effective people management. section 2.4.2 section 2.5.9
Apply active listening through these management practices:
- Listen patiently to understand the perspectives and motivations of everyone involved in a conflict. section 2.5.5
- Use one-on-one conversations and regular check-ins to hear concerns, expectations, feedback, and employee needs. section 2.5.9 section 9.3.1
- Combine listening with empathy, compassion, and fair treatment rather than favoritism or premature judgment. section 2.4.2 section 2.5.9
- Create channels for candid feedback and notice whether people freely share ideas, feedback, and support. section 2.4.2 section 9.3.1
Listening during conflict
When conflict appears, identify it promptly, listen patiently to each person’s perspective and motivation, assess the situation objectively, and facilitate a collaborative resolution instead of dictating one. section 2.5.5
