027 - Listening at the Top: The Dual Role of Senior Leaders - Part 1

Listening at the Top: The Dual Role of Senior Leaders

In today's fast-paced business world, the ability to communicate effectively is invaluable. Yet, there's an aspect of communication that's often overlooked, especially among senior leaders – listening. We frequently emphasize the need for leaders to speak, guide, and inspire. But to be truly impactful, senior leaders must also be exceptional listeners.

"Most of the successful people I've known are the ones who do more listening than talking." ?Bernard Baruch

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The Power of Listening

Listening has the incredible power to create trust, solve problems, and foster innovation.

?When leaders listen:

·?????Trust is Built: Employees feel valued, acknowledged, and important.

·?????Problems are Solved Efficiently: Understanding an issue fully often leads to more effective solutions.

·?????Innovation is Fostered: Great ideas can come from anywhere in an organization.

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"The art of conversation lies in listening." ?Malcolm Forbes

However, for senior leaders, the act of listening serves a dual purpose.

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Listening Inward and Outward

Senior leaders carry the weight of their organisation’s success and are often the custodians of its vision. Therefore, their listening extends in two primary directions:

"When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you may learn something new."?Dalai Lama

·?????Outward Listening: This is the act of listening to those outside of oneself, such as employees, stakeholders, and even competitors. It's crucial for decision-making, strategising, and keeping a finger on the pulse of industry trends.

·?????Inward Listening: This refers to listening to one's own instincts, experiences, and insights. As leaders rise through the ranks, their reservoir of experiences becomes richer, providing them a unique vantage point. Sometimes, this internal compass can be just as valuable, if not more so, than external opinions.

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"Listening is an attitude of the heart, a genuine desire to be with another which both attracts and heals."?J. Isham

The Delicate Balance

For senior leaders, the challenge lies in balancing these two types of listening. Lean too heavily on outward listening, and one might become overly reactive, constantly swayed by every new opinion. Over-rely on inward listening, and the risk is becoming insular or resistant to feedback.

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Achieving this balance requires:

·?????Active Engagement: Senior leaders must be present in discussions, ask open-ended questions, and resist the urge to interject prematurely.

·?????Reflection: Taking time to process information, assess its alignment with the organization's goals, and consider it alongside personal experiences.

·?????Feedback Loops: Creating mechanisms to regularly receive and provide feedback ensures that leaders remain connected and aware.

"One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say."?Bryant H. McGill

In the orchestra of business, senior leaders are both conductors and musicians. While their vision sets the tone, it's their ability to listen that ensures harmony.

As we rise in our careers, may we never forget the dual importance of listening, both to the world around us and to the wisdom that lies within. The future of leadership is not just about speaking louder but listening more profoundly.

END of Part 1 of 2

Alrick?has been in the advertising industry for the last 27 years.?A CPA by trade, he is currently the COO of TBWA Singapore & Malaysia, and the Chief Pricing Officer for TBWA\ Asia.?Alrick has been part of the transformation team and operationalising those outcomes with the companies that he has worked for. His interest lies in incorporating technology into businesses, B2B pricing, and?coaching?and mentoring start-ups and troubled businesses.