The Listening Cycle: Closing the Loop

  • Author:
Reading time: 3 min
  • Word Count: 454
Read the news article

Over the last four weeks, I’ve elaborated on what I call the Closing the Loop. You can find the articles here. This consists of:

  • Step 1: Recognizing the Unsaid – Unspoken things in your culture’s organization to recognize that your people aren’t telling their entire truth.
  • Step 2: Seeking to Understand – Leaning in to understand someone’s perspective and really hearing them.
  • Step 3: Decode – Taking time to reflect, investigate, and then ponder about the feedback you have been given and what to do about it.
  • Step 4: Act – Acting upon what you’ve heard, so your people know their voices are powerful and that you will do something about the feedback that is given.
  • Step 5: Closing the Loop – Connecting the dots by sharing what you’ve heard and the actions you’re taking.

I think, often, leaders don’t put in the time to truly learn how to listen because it may seem primal. But, the truth is, truly listening is something most leaders don’t know how to do.

Think about it – have you ever had a manager who really listened to you?

In this video, I break down what it means to connect the dots from the very beginning of the process to the very end.

Plus, I tell you about the extremely rewarding results that closing the loop has.

Hint, hint: it makes team members feel valued, heard, and included because they know that their feedback was taken into consideration and actions were taken as a result.

The Listening Cycle: Closing the Loop

I want to challenge you to write down (or think) about a time when:

You felt that your manager truly listened to you
You felt like your voice was not heard
Let’s think about how this made you feel.

Now that you have these two distinct feelings in mind, you will better understand how important completing the five steps in the listening process is.

You wouldn’t want to make someone feel like you did when your voice was not heard, right?

Of course not! So, I encourage you to take the initiative and create a Culture of Listening in your organization.

Heather R Younger is a highly sought-after speaker, 2x-TEDx speaker, diversity, equity, and inclusion strategist, and contributor to leading news outlets. She is also the Founder and CEO of Employee Fanatix, a leading employee engagement and consulting firm.

After over 25,000 employee engagement surveys and years of working with organizations to transform employee engagement, here’s what Heather has seen over and over:

When you know how to listen, employees will tell you exactly what they need to bring their full selves to work for Closing the Loop.

Contact us at Speakers Inc and view WeSpeak Global

Was this article helpful?

Further articles you may enjoy:

  • (28)

We’re thrilled to bring back our Speakers Inc Virtual Speaker Showcase in 2026 and this edition is proudly focused on spotlighting the exceptional speaker talent emerging from South Africa. This isn’t just another webinar. It’s a curated, high-production showcase designed to present dynamic speakers to the people who book them such as corporate event planners, […]

  • September 30, 2025
  • (15)

Mastering Nonverbal Communication: The Transformative Power of Body Language Coaching with Kristin Bock In our fast-paced, communication-heavy world, mastering the art of nonverbal communication can be a game-changer. Enter Kristin Bock, a body language expert and founder of Body Language Blueprints, who helps professionals leverage nonverbal cues to enhance their personal and professional interactions. In […]

  • July 15, 2024
  • (12)

Embracing Digital Leadership: The Journey of Erik Qualman, aka “Equalman” Erik Qualman, widely recognized as “Equalman,” stands as a beacon of digital leadership and transformation. His work, which spans keynote speaking, bestselling authorship, and digital expertise, has profoundly influenced the realms of social media and digital transformation. Equalman’s journey is a testament to the power […]

  • July 12, 2024
  • (135)

Elizabeth McCormick’s journey to becoming a renowned speaker is rooted in her remarkable career in the military. As a Black Hawk Helicopter Pilot, she faced challenges and triumphs that shaped her into the inspiring leader she is today. Rising through the ranks to become Chief Warrant Officer 2, Elizabeth honed her skills in leadership, resilience, […]

  • June 24, 2024
  • (21)

In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, businesses are increasingly turning to Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Artificial Intelligence: Revolutionizing Customer Service. AI technologies, such as chatbots, machine learning, and natural language processing, are transforming the way companies interact with their customers, leading to more efficient, personalized, and satisfactory service experiences. This article explores how AI is […]

  • July 19, 2024
  • (17)

The Power of Motivational Sales Speakers: Keynote Themes, Takeaways, and Audience Impact In the fast-paced world of business, sales professionals face constant challenges that demand not only skill but also a resilient mindset. Motivational sales speakers play a critical role in empowering these professionals, providing the inspiration, tools, and strategies needed to achieve success. Whether […]

  • August 14, 2024
  • (49)

Looking to motivate a group of employees, students, or even donors? Speakers Inc has a wide selection of New York Motivational Speakers that you can book for any event: business functions, school assemblies, graduations, charitable fundraisers, and more. Find one in New York today! New York City is one of the biggest tourist destinations in the […]

  • December 20, 2022
  • (4)

I had a recent team meeting where I brought our Caring Leadership coaches together to discuss an idea regarding the community. The call ended up going in an entirely different direction, but ended up in an amazing place. As the conversation grew, many strong opinions came forth on all sides, but I trusted each of them individually to […]

  • January 18, 2023

Subscribe to our Newsletter and get connected:

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated.

We use Brevo as our marketing platform. By submitting this form you agree that the personal data you provided will be transferred to Brevo for processing in accordance with Brevo's Privacy Policy.

Our Mission:

We are your partner creating memorable and engaging experiences that go beyond the event itself.

© All rights reserved 2025.  Designed using Voxel

Speakers Inc Logo 2024
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.