Active listening (AL) is an important leadership skill within the workplace. It is essential to investigate a possible causal association between AL, employee well-being and other measures....Show moreActive listening (AL) is an important leadership skill within the workplace. It is essential to investigate a possible causal association between AL, employee well-being and other measures. Therefore, the main question of this research is: “What is the effect of extraversion and gender on active listening skills of leaders in organisations and how does this skill relates to employee well-being?” A questionnaire was spread among 374 Dutch employees. The results showed that AL-skills of a leader have a positive relation with employee well-being. Also, female leaders apply active listening more often compared to male leaders. The results pointed out that extraversion does not have a negative relation with the AL-skills of leaders in organisations. Furthermore, Female leaders are better at AL compared to male leaders, but this difference is not larger for non-extravert leaders compared to extravert leaders. Future longitudinal research should confirm the causality between the variables.Show less
If we know what contributes to a better relationship quality, we have the opportunity to improve our relationships. The aim of this study was to find an effect of listening technique on...Show moreIf we know what contributes to a better relationship quality, we have the opportunity to improve our relationships. The aim of this study was to find an effect of listening technique on relationship quality and to uncover if this relationship is moderated by confidence. The 60 participants were randomly assigned to listening technique conditions. Either an active, neutral, or argumentative listening technique was applied. Discussions within each condition were held by a confederate via Skype. Unexpectedly, confidence had no effect on the effect of listening technique on relationship quality. Excitingly, in this study active- and argumentative listening led to better relationship quality in comparison to neutral listening. If implemented properly, listening techniques could have a positive effect on how you are perceived by othersShow less
Many recent studies have investigated stress, active listening, or gender, but none of them addresses all three of these factors at the same time. The present study investigated the effect of...Show moreMany recent studies have investigated stress, active listening, or gender, but none of them addresses all three of these factors at the same time. The present study investigated the effect of perceived stress on self-rated active listening for men and women. An online survey was administered to a group of adults (106 males and 297 females) aged 18-69 in the Netherlands. This survey consisted of items of The Active-Empathic Listening Scale (AELS) and the Stress scale of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS). Results revealed that higher perceived stress was associated with a greater decline in active listening among adults (p = .030). Independent t-tests revealed that women reported more active listening than men (d = 0.32, p <.001), however women did not report more stress than men (d = 0.14, p = .202). Finally, a regression revealed that the effect of stress on active listening seemed to be stronger for women than men (95% CI [0.00, 0.22], p = .054). Thus, women might be more vulnerable to the effect of perceived stress on active listening than men. Implications for future research are discussed.Show less
Because of limited research, this study aimed to expand current knowledge on the positive effects of active empathetic listening and go into the gap in research regarding the explanation of these...Show moreBecause of limited research, this study aimed to expand current knowledge on the positive effects of active empathetic listening and go into the gap in research regarding the explanation of these positive effects. Therefore, the relationship between active empathetic listening of the supervisor and employee well-being, and the mediating role of employee stress appraisal and the moderating role of employee age in this relationship, were examined. The study was conducted using an online questionnaire among 374 Dutch employees. In the current study, active empathetic listening of the supervisor was positively associated with employee well-being. In addition, no evidence was found for neither the mediating role of employee stress appraisal nor the moderating role of employee age. Nevertheless, there were valuable associations found while testing these hypotheses. Active empathetic listening of the supervisor showed to be positively associated with resource stress appraisal of employees in stressful situations at work. Although more research is needed to further understand the relationship between active empathetic listening of the supervisor and employee well-being, and the positive effects of active empathetic listening itself, the importance of active empathetic listening of the supervisor concerning employee well-being and coping can be acknowledged.Show less
In an online experiment we investigated the relationship between listening style on the quality of the relationship between two conversation partners. Additionally we looked at the mediating effect...Show moreIn an online experiment we investigated the relationship between listening style on the quality of the relationship between two conversation partners. Additionally we looked at the mediating effect of empathy in this relationship. One participant and one confederate had a conversation about six statements on a vegan lifestyle. The confederate used one of three different listening styles namely, active listening, neutral listening or argumentative listening, to interact with the participant who was arguing his or her point of view. The results showed that active and argumentative listening had a positive effect on the quality of the relationship between the conversation partners. This positive effect was mediated by perceived empathy. These two reactive listening styles seem to reflect empathy, and this in turn makes the other like you more as a person and conversation partner. Neutral listening didn’t seem to be preferred when being listened to. If someone is telling you a story or argues their point of view, the speaking party will really appreciate it if you are consciously listening to them, and also show this in reactions and behaviour.Show less
