Thanks for Listening: Vol. V

Dear Generous Listener,

As September begins, life’s pace quickens, bringing a season of new beginnings. It’s ‘back to school’ time—not just for students, but for many of us returning to our workplaces and refocusing on our goals. After a month of inward reflection, we now have the chance to extend that listening to those around us.

This month, we want to talk about the incredible power of listening in the workplace. In our fast-paced world, true listening can be a game-changer. After years in the media industry, I realized just how transformative listening can be, yet it’s often overlooked, especially in large organizations. That realization led me to step away from my leadership role and dedicate my work to promoting generous listening.

At Vuslat Foundation, we’re taking some exciting steps forward. Our team is working on a new tool that’s designed to create a generous listening culture within organizations to enhance wellbeing in the workplace. I can’t wait to share more about this project with you soon!

For now, let’s explore how listening can turn workplaces into places where every voice matters, and where both leaders and employees can truly thrive.

Here’s to listening generously in all the spaces we find ourselves in.

Vuslat Doğan Sabancı

“Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge.”

― Simon Sinek

At the Vuslat Foundation, we truly believe that listening is at the heart of effective leadership and organizational success. Research shows that generous listening can boost employee engagement, create a positive workplace culture, and drive better performance. As Harvard Business School’s Michael Beer puts it, “The ability to listen to and understand others is essential for effective leadership.” When leaders listen, they build trust and respect, empowering their teams and boosting morale. Learn more about his insights here.

Jeffrey Yip, a leadership expert, adds that listening deeply—beyond just the words—is key to building strong relationships and solving problems. Read more on Jeffrey Yip’s research here. Here’s something to think about: while 96% of professionals think they’re good listeners, a whopping 80% admit they multitask during calls. And did you know that people typically only retain about half of what they hear? It’s a common issue—we often listen just to reply, not to really understand. But by making an effort to truly understand, we can improve our interactions, reduce burnout, and create a workplace where everyone feels valued.

“Being a good listener is absolutely critical to being a good leader; you have to listen to the people who are on the front line.”

– Richard Branson

Generous listening isn’t just a nice idea—it’s something that can really transform workplace culture. Take Pixar Animation Studios, for example. They have these “Braintrust” meetings where directors get honest feedback from their peers in an environment that values everyone’s voice. This culture of listening isn’t just about boosting creativity—it’s about building a community where respect and collaboration thrive. By making generous listening part of their everyday routine, Pixar has created a workplace that’s not only innovative but also supportive.

Want to bring more generous listening into your workplace? Try this: Gather with your colleagues and sit in a circle. Give each person two minutes to speak on a topic while everyone else listens without interruption. The goal is to focus on really understanding the speaker’s perspective rather than planning your response. After everyone has spoken, open up the floor for discussion—make sure each response acknowledges the previous speaker’s points. This simple exercise can help sharpen listening skills and create a culture of respect, understanding, and collaboration.

Next time you’re in a meeting or conversation, ask yourself: Am I listening to understand, or just to respond? How can I practice listening more generously?