When practiced, active listening holds many benefits for both the listener and the speaker, most commonly:
- Building strong and trusting relationships
- Identifying or anticipating problems and resolving them more easily
- Avoiding missing important information and building more knowledge
In a work setting, listening with intent will usually translate into a positive experience for both the speaker and listener, fostering an empathetic employee culture that leads to better communication across the organization.
Ultimately, active listening empowers you amongst your peers, whether as a leader, an individual contributor, or member of the organization.