Training managers to LISTEN

Abstract

Some time ago, an engineering firm which used to meet union officials only when the need arose — to sort out disputes, and so on — decided to start seeing the union men regularly, reason or no reason. Since then, the two sides have been getting together, just sitting and talking, about once a week. For the first time they have learnt to listen to each other. As problems crop up, they are discussed. Sometimes the problem dissolves as one side talks and the other side listens. Sometimes, according to a manager who has attended these sessions, a solution gradually emerges after two or three meetings. The meetings have already paid for themselves. Since these informal listening sessions began, no major disputes have flared up.

Citation

MAUDE, B. (1971), "Training managers to LISTEN", Industrial and Commercial Training, Vol. 3 No. 7, pp. 305-307. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb003144