2 Minutes: How Small, Repeatable Habits Build Stronger Relationships

Leadership isn’t about grand gestures. It’s about the small, repeatable actions that build trust, connection, and impact over time.

The most effective leaders aren’t just skilled decision-makers, they’re deeply connected to the people around them. And just like any skill, connection isn’t something you have or don’t have. It’s something you build, one habit at a time.

James Clear’s Atomic Habits teaches us that big transformations don’t come from sudden breakthroughs. They come from small, consistent improvements—stacking simple habits until they become second nature.

So, what if we applied that mindset to leadership? What if, instead of trying to “be more present” or “listen better” in some vague way, we committed to small, repeatable wins that help us become more connected, engaged, and effective?

Here’s a simple way to start.

The Two-Minute Challenge: Building Uninterrupted Listening Stamina

Most leaders think they’re good listeners. But how often do we truly give someone our full, uninterrupted attention—without thinking about our response, checking our phones, or jumping in with advice?

Real listening—the kind that makes people feel heard, valued, and understood—isn’t passive. It’s a muscle, and it takes training to build stamina.

That’s why I challenge leaders to develop their reflective listening skills using the Two-Minute Challenge. The goal is simple: train yourself to listen without interruption for two full minutes.

Here’s how to build up to it:

Week 1: Master 30 Seconds

Start with a 30-second conversation where you commit to listening without interrupting. It’s harder than it sounds. Notice your impulse to jump in with a solution or share your own experience. Just observe these urges without acting on them.

Week 2: Extend to 60 Seconds

Push yourself to one full minute of uninterrupted listening. Keep your focus on the speaker. Maintain eye contact, nod, and show you’re engaged—but don’t speak.

Week 3: Push to 90 Seconds

By now, you’re getting comfortable with silence. You’ll start to notice something interesting: when people don’t get interrupted, they begin to access deeper thoughts and insights they might not have shared otherwise.

Week 4: Achieve the Full Two-Minute Reflective Listen

This is the sweet spot. Research from Kluger and Mizrahi reminds us that listening is “devotion to being with the other.” When you give someone two uninterrupted minutes, you’re not just hearing words—you’re creating space for real connection.

And here’s the kicker: the most meaningful insights often emerge in the last 30 seconds—just when most conversations would have been interrupted. It’s like the follow-through on a golf swing—small, but crucial.

Why This Works

?? It rewires your instinct to respond too quickly. Most leaders are problem solvers, which makes us jump in fast. Training yourself to hold back creates space for better solutions to emerge.

?? It signals deep respect and presence. Giving someone two minutes of your full attention shows them they matter. And in leadership, people who feel valued perform better.

?? It builds self-awareness. The hardest part of this challenge isn’t listening—it’s noticing how much we want to interrupt. That awareness alone makes us better communicators.

Try It With Your Team

Want to make this a team exercise? Here’s a simple way to practice:

1. Pair up. One person speaks about a challenge or idea for two uninterrupted minutes. The other just listens.
2. Switch roles.
3. Reflect on what it felt like—not just as a speaker, but as a listener.

What changed when you knew you couldn’t interrupt?

I guarantee this exercise will reveal something surprising—about you, your team, and the way we default to communication patterns that don’t always serve us.