Does good listening truly improve work performance? Do people feel more committed, safe, and focused when they experience high quality listening? And what is the connection between listening and trust, motivation, and professional outcomes?
Research purpose:
The article examined how perceived listening affects work outcomes, including relationship quality, emotions, cognition, and professional performance. The researchers proposed that high quality listening improves relationships between people, increases clarity and motivation, and contributes to better functioning in organizations.
Methodology:
The researchers conducted a broad systematic review and meta analysis that included 122 papers, 144 independent samples, 664 effect sizes, and 400,020 observations. Studies from a wide range of work settings and professional roles were examined.
Key findings:
A strong positive relationship was found between perceived listening and work outcomes, r = .39. The strongest relationship was found with relationship quality, r = .51, and it was stronger than the relationship with professional performance, r = .36. Even after removing studies based only on self reports, the relationship between listening and performance remained significant, r = .21.
Conclusions and recommendations:
The study shows that listening is not only a pleasant interpersonal skill, but also a professional tool with a real impact on trust, motivation, learning, and performance. For coaches, managers, and professionals, developing deep, accurate, and nonjudgmental listening may strengthen relationships, increase insight, and improve professional outcomes.
Kluger, Avraham N., Michal Lehmann, Herman Aguinis, Guy Itzchakov, Galit Gordoni, Jetmir Zyberaj, and Cafer Bakaç. “A Meta-analytic Systematic Review and Theory of the Effects of Perceived Listening on Work Outcomes.” Journal of Business and Psychology 39 (2024): 295–344.