sustain:if:able kiwi

listening capital defined

I define listening capital as an asset that results from being fully present in high-quality listening. Investing in listening capital has benefits that are immediate and long term. It builds trust, encourages partnerships and cultivates capacity for risk.

The possibility of capital being more than simply economic is present in a definition of capital as “heterogeneous resource combinations” (Endres & Harper, 2020: 161). They observe that capital includes land, natural resources, financial capital, human capabilities and other intangibles.

While capital is often interpreted in monetary terms, the concept of social capital has received increasing attention within social economy research (Lewis & Chamlee Wright, 2008). Chris Woods summarises social capital as “bundles of knowledge obtained through social interactions, such as networking, [that] creates norms of trust, reciprocity, and respect” (Woods, 2025: 13).

High-quality listening strengthens connections between speaker and listener. Community relationships are intensified as listening cultivates a positive emotional climate and mutual understanding (Kluger & Mizrahi, 2023). High-quality listening results in a sense of togetherness and increased interpersonal disclosure (Kluger & Itzchakov, 2022). The elements of high-quality listening include attention, comprehension and intention. High quality listening results in feelings of belonging, connection, and acceptance and thus contributes to social connection and human flourishing.

Hence listening capital is a social asset that grows as listeners invest in high-quality listening. Investing in listening capital becomes an important element in leading through change.

The concept of listening capital and the benefits for change management and community development emerge from reflection on my research. This includes my John Templeton funded research into the Social Impacts of Listening Practices in Religious Organisations. It also includes impact evaluation research I have done for organisations in Australia and New Zealand, including ethnographic observation of consultancy processes and interviews with participants about their experiences.

Across these different research projects it is clear that being listened to builds trust and opens people to consider different perspectives and new insights.