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Massachusetts Institute of Technology *
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148
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Communications
Date
Nov 24, 2024
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docx
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4
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Research Paper and Presentation - Communication across Teams and
Organizations
Name College Course Code & Title
Instructor Date
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Introduction
Active listening has become an important skill for leaders to have in order to make good decisions and keep their teams working well together. The situation between Maria, the team manager, and Jim, an employee who had to leave work early to take care of his own child is a powerful example. This piece talks about how I would handle the problem as Jim's direct boss by actively listening. A bigger question that company leaders have to think about is when they need to be open and when they need to stick to the rules no matter what.
Dynamics of Active Listening
If I were Jim's boss, the first thing I would do is use active listening techniques. The Center for Creative Leadership (2019) says that active listening is more than just hearing; it also means getting the person's feelings and worries behind what they are saying. In Jim's case, I would make a safe space for him, acknowledge his wish, and encourage him to talk about his problems in an honest way. This method fits with the idea that active listening helps
leaders and their teams connect more deeply (Center for Creative Leadership, 2019). Policies vs. Flexibility
There are many things to think about when deciding whether to be open or stick to rules. In this case, flexibility means understanding and meeting the needs of each person, as leadership and organizational behavior literature has pointed out (Pero, 2023). Because Jim had to take care of his own kids, his case shows how important it is for leaders to understand the unique problems their team members are facing. In these situations, flexibility can boost confidence and trust among workers (Doremus & Becker, 2022). However, the article also recognizes how important rules are for keeping things fair and consistent within a group. Pero’s research from 2023 shows that rules are important for making the workplace safe and making sure that all workers are treated equally. To keep the
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workplace fair and united, it is important to find a mix between being flexible and following the rules. Key aspects about Active Listening
There are a few important things that leaders can learn from the reading about active listening. The Center for Creative Leadership (2019) says that empathetic understanding means not only hearing words but also getting how people feel behind them. This skill helps leaders be more helpful and open to everyone. Second, being able to adjust is very important. Leaders need to be able to change how they do things depending on the person and the situation (Pero, 2023). Lastly, it is stressed that clear and concise communication works both ways, preventing confusion and encouraging honesty (Doremus & Becker, 2022). Active Listening for the Future
I am going to use these things I have learned in my future relationships as a leader. To do this, I need to make listening with empathy a part of how I lead, be able to change my methods based on what each team member needs, and put clear and open communication first. The goal is to create a workplace that values both being flexible and following the rules.
This will help build an atmosphere of trust, teamwork, and employee health. Conclusion
Finally, the situation between Maria and Jim can be used as a starting point to look at
how freedom and following rules work together in leadership. Leaders can handle these kinds
of events with respect and understanding if they use active listening techniques. An ideal work setting is one that balances freedom with rules, respects each person's needs, and constantly meets company objectives.
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References
Center for Creative Leadership. (2019). Active listening: Improve your ability to listen and lead, Second Edition. Greensboro, NC: Center for Creative Leadership.
Doremus, S., & Becker, L. (2022). Active listening.
Feedback: Active Listening for a Shared
Understanding
.
https://doi.org/10.4135/9781071896068
Pero. (2023). Issue 3 integrating listening with other skills is it better to integrate active listening with other skills.
Active Listening
, 265-
268.
https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315832920-22