“It’s too frustrating to watch a company spend so much time hiring great people, and then refuse, steadfastly, to listen to a single word they say. It’s humiliating, like getting paid to sit down and shut up.” 

I was recently reading an article on HBR that talked about the importance of small-talks in work culture. I could easily resonate with the topic, since I always get feedback from the people that I interview - “I am leaving my current organization because nobody listens to me.”

You Should Listen To Your People

To me how the employees feel in an office atmosphere is what defines the work culture of the company. If my employees feel scared to talk to me about anything, it is a sign that something is wrong in the work culture that I have been breeding. This is the reason that I always stress on small, casual conversations in-between work hours. It is one of the best ways to break the ice andmake employees feel comfortable. 

What it also does is that it makes them realize that they can come and talk to me about anything, and everything that’s bothering them.

Listening to Others Help Improve Their Work & Productivity

Since they no longer have to contemplate twice before coming to me, their problems (especially work related doubts) get resolved in quick time. Not only professional matters, but the personal things (more often than not) that are bothering them, they come and discuss with me, and it leads to the end of their distractions. 

I have been practicing this since I adorned the leadership role here at ProofHub. And, it has been one of the best things that I have done so far. I’ve been able to build a team that loves working here, that is welcoming and that always stands with each other through tough times.

I’ve been able to figure out one of the ways to keep my team inspired, did you find any too? If yes, I’d love you to share it in the comments below. 

About the Author

Vartika Kashyap is the Chief Marketing Officer at ProofHub — leading project management software. From contributing to websites such as The Huffington Post, Business.com, Elearning, Dzone, and The Next Web to becoming LinkedIn Top Voices in 2017 and 2018, she has recognised amazing new ways to reach the audience. She weaves stories about productivity, team building, work culture, leadership, and common workplace events. She also loves to read and travel to new places.