The ROI of Listening: What Most Engagement Surveys Miss
We ask employees for feedback because we want to improve. But, too often, that feedback gets stored in a spreadsheet… and stays there.
Engagement surveys are valuable, essential, even, but they’re not the finish line. They’re the starting point of a much deeper process: listening, responding, and creating change that people can actually feel.
That’s where the real ROI lives.
Surveys show you patterns. Listening helps you act on them.
Well-designed surveys can surface powerful data:
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Where trust is eroding
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Which teams are thriving or struggling
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Whether people feel recognized, heard, and supported
Real listening begins when leaders lean in and ask:
“What does this really mean?”
“What are we willing to do differently?”
“How will we follow up with care and clarity?”
That’s the shift from measurement to momentum.
Why listening builds trust (and why trust drives results)
When leaders follow up after a survey through team debriefs, stay interviews, manager 1:1s, or even a well-placed check-in, it sends a powerful message:
“You trusted us with your feedback. And we’re not going to waste it.”
This kind of feedback loop strengthens culture, drives retention, and gives your best people a reason to stay.
How LeAnne helps teams listen strategically
When I work with organizations on employee engagement surveys, I always say the same thing:
“This is more than a measurement. It’s a launchpad for meaningful conversations.”
Here’s what strategic listening often includes:
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Designing the right survey (timing, tone, and questions that invite honesty)
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Interpreting results through a human lens, not just metrics
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Facilitating team-level conversations to connect the dots
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Building a communication plan so feedback doesn’t fall into a void
Want to go deeper?
๐ง Listen to LeAnne on the Workology Podcast
She shares how communication drives retention, why listening systems are essential, and how to equip managers to lead more effective conversations.
๐ Or book a consult to explore how LeAnne can lead an engagement survey for your team.
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