Listening and Reliability Engineering

Abstract

Carl and Fred discuss why the skill of listening is essential to successful application of reliability engineering.

Key Points

Join Carl and Fred as they discuss the ability to influence others, and how this can be enhanced by listening. In order to achieve reliability objectives, it is necessary to influence other engineers and managers to incorporate reliability information and ideas.

Topics include:

Harvard Business Review article from Aug 2025, titled “Soft Skills Matter Now More Than Ever, According to Research”
Reliability engineers need to be able to listen very well. Why?
No one person has all the answers. You have to work with others.
Stephen Covey, “Seek first to understand, before being understood.”
Key is to listen attentively, and deeply understand the position of the other person.
Ask open-ended questions, ask for clarifications, ask follow-up questions.
Good listening also connects with people, and increases trust and cooperation
What is Active Listening?
Listening also reveals what is important to your audience or your team.
Be curious, don’t pretend, be interested.
Begin listening with the attitude that you need to learn something.
Don’t ask too many questions, allow people to answer.
How do you listen when you are caught off-guard?
Listening is key to good relationships.
Listening includes emotions and body language.

Enjoy an episode of Speaking of Reliability. Where you can join friends as they discuss reliability topics. Join us as we discuss topics ranging from design for reliability techniques to field data analysis approaches.