How can you avoid common active listening mistakes during conflict resolution as a Servant Leader?

As a Servant Leader resolving conflicts, practice active listening by fully engaging without interrupting, empathizing with the speaker's emotions, and avoiding judgment. Reflect on what is said, clarify doubts, be mindful of your body language, and manage responses calmly. Stay focused on the issue at hand, fostering an environment of mutual understanding and respect.

Listening to understand is a skill that needs to be mastered in order to be a great leader. Remove all pre-conceived ideas or perceptions you may have and attentively pay attention. Use phrases like 'what I hear you say' to mimic the person speaking - that way you get to understand while paying attention and drawing the person in.

Not interrupting is about showing respect. It's easy to jump in with our thoughts, but listening fully means letting others express themselves without cutting them off. This way, we not only grasp their words but also show that we value their input. It's a simple act that builds trust and encourages open communication.

When we judge others during conversations, we risk missing their true message. Instead of assuming, it's helpful to ask questions to clarify their points. This approach fosters trust and shows you're genuinely interested in understanding them.

Overcoming distraction during conversations is about respect and empathy. When we listen without distractions, we not only catch vital details but also honor the speaker's time and thoughts. To stay engaged, I find it helpful to take notes, which keeps my mind on track and shows the speaker they have my full attention. It's a simple yet effective way to demonstrate commitment to the dialogue.

A lot of leaders believe their role is to guide folks through an issue by quickly offering advice or sharing a relevant example that they have been through in an attempt to relate. Rather than ask thoughtful questions in an attempt to listen more, the leader ends up talking too much to "advise" and doesn't enable the other person to grow properly without helping them to explore the issue more. Servant leadership in this scenario requires that we refrain from trying to solve their issue - which can be challenging for leaders who care! Rather, ask enough questions that they will ultimately solve their own issue by simply talking through scenarios with their leader.

Advising too quickly can shut down a good talk. It's better to listen fully before suggesting fixes. This way, you show respect and let the other person share their thoughts. When you do this, they might even come up with their own good ideas.

I'd like to emphasize the importance of avoiding preconceived narratives. Anticipating how a conversation will unfold often leads us to selectively hear only what aligns with our expectations. This not only hinders genuine understanding but also subtly steers the dialogue in our intended direction. The essence of effective leadership lies in embracing an open-minded approach. It's crucial to take a moment to process and comprehend the points raised, perhaps even seeking clarification to ensure our understanding aligns with the speaker's intent. This practice fosters a culture of mutual respect and deeper insight, essential for any servant leader.