Learning how to listen by gauging how well you do it in real-time is one way to develop this important skill, says Natalie Baumgartner, chief workforce scientist at Achievers. Her firm focuses on employee engagement.
"It's about showing employees you're doing something with their feedback; using it to have specific, personalized conversations; saying to them, 'I heard you. Tell me more. Let's come up with a solution together," Baumgartner says.
Being able to help younger workers to decompression also is valuable, says Jim Link, chief human resources officer at Randstad US. "We're dealing with a new generation of workers who've grown up in an always-on, always-connected world," Link says. "Great bosses will be able to help them disconnect during the workday for creative think time so they continue to be emotionally fulfilled by their job, and, after the workday, to maintain work-life balance and prevent burnout."
Being able to disconnect from technology also is crucial when trying to engage in person. "Use technology to notify people of meetings, syncing calendars and managing deadlines, but when you're in a meeting put the phone down," notes Dan Schawbel, author of "Back to Human."
"I've seen some teams put all of their phones in the middle of a table so that they can be fully present, attentive and ready to collaborate."