Ever come across colleagues, especially subordinates, who want to speak but seem to have their tongues tied? If yes, then do you know why? Perhaps you are impatient, inapproachable or your body language implies you have no interest in listening.

These were some of the factors found by a group of officers who recently took part in two pilot workshops on active listening organised by Wong Tai Sin District.

Held at the Detective Training School on December 12 and 19, attendees were invited to share experiences in listening to colleagues and took part in a number of practical exercises. The project was to promote the importance of active listening and to enhance the skills needed to create an environment encouraging shy people to speak up. WTS District Commander Ian Tyzzer opened the workshops with about 20 Inspectors, Station Sergeants and SGTs in attendance.

Workshop designer WTS District Training and Staff Relations Officer Francis Fan Kwok-wah said: "Internal communication among officers of different ranks is a Force priority and a lot of related training courses have already been organised. I came up with courses on listening skills because very few have been available. After it was accepted by the Staff Suggestion Scheme Committee, I designed the one-day training package and ran this pilot scheme in our District."

Chief Inspector Fan said junior supervisors were the main focus. "They are the ones who have the most frequent contact with frontline officers. If they can make good use of these skills, the problems and needs of frontline officers will be more easily detected and solved."

Initial response to the workshop was encouraging. Kowloon East Regional Welfare Office Sergeant Ng Yiu-tai said: "With these skills my communication ability has been further enhanced. Before, I was too impatient to listen to others and frequently interrupted their speech. The training course has helped me to break communication barriers."

Tsz Wan Shan Division Patrol Sub-unit Team Three Inspector Leung Wai-ki said the course enabled him to identify his subordinates' needs through listening, and provided the know-how to encourage them to speak, such as through showing interest and patience with the appropriate body language, questions, speaking pace and tones.

WTS District Crime Squad Team One Sergeant Lai Man-cheung said active listening could boost internal communication, team spirit and morale. "I know exactly how frontline officers feel when they speak to supervisors because I am also the subordinate of other senior officers. If every supervisor can try to get involved in their subordinates' circles and show their care, working relationships would definitely improve."

WTS Anti-triad Squad Sergeant Law Kwok-ling hoped active listening could become a part of Force culture to minimise misunderstandings. Another attendee, WTS District Intelligence Section Sergeant Wong Chun-chuen, said active listening skills would also boost family communication.

Details of the workshop have been referred to Training Wing for consideration, and to see whether it could be further developed and offered to all officers.

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