We have recently discussed Creative Meeting Ideas and Using An Employee Committee to Informally Improve Communication. How to Make* Employees Listen explains that while you cannot force employees to listen, knowing your audience, setting an example, and trying to eliminate obstacles are three strategies to help you control your "communications team building culture" so that employees will decide to listen on their own. It also shares some engagement listening tools:

• Clearly communicate departmental objectives, and solicit input from your employees on what they can do to help achieve them.
  
  
  
• Ask employees for advice in areas where they have expertise.
  
  
  
• Create a committee of employees at different levels and areas of responsibility that has "New Ideas" in its title – and as its objective.
  
  
  
• Same as above, but with the title/objective of creating and implementing workplace team building activities.
  
  
• Implement "lunch & learns."
  
  
• If your firm is small enough – have your CEO conduct one-on-one career advancement meetings with those interested in a leadership role.
  
  
• "90 percent solution" – give employees 90% ownership in each project.
  
  
• Do 10-minute daily stand up meetings in departments.