GREAT LEADERS ARE GREAT LISTENERS

When you speak in such a way others love listening to you and listen in such a way that others love talking to you. It shows you value your team by actively listening to their concerns, feedback or suggestions. I often wonder why companies ask their employees for their feedback when time and time again, they never listen to what they are saying.?

Effective leadership is built on a foundation of communication and collaboration, and one crucial aspect of this is listening to your team. Unfortunately, some leaders disregard many of their team’s feedback and suggestion, creating an environment of diminished trust, stifled creativity, and decreased productivity.?

I can remember during many meetings I attended, the routine was always the same: “Does anyone have any suggestions, feedback or questions for the management team” The CEO always asked when the meeting was coming to a close. Many people always voice their concerns or offer some form of suggestion. Still, nothing came from any of it. I can distinctly remember watching the managers at the front table when people were talking, and no one seemed remotely interested in anything anyone was saying.?

It was so glaring and so disrespectful. But you know what was ironic? I’ve heard some of these same managers complain that “my employees won’t speak up” and label them as bad or uncaring employees, but these same “leaders” should look in the mirror and ask themselves how their people ended up that way. When someone is sharing their ideas and feedback, and they are not taken seriously, at some point, that person will become very quiet, and the worst thing for any organization is when their most passionate employees become quiet.?

When leaders consistently fail to listen to their teams, trust begins to erode. Team members may feel undervalued, marginalized, and disrespected. This breakdown in trust inhibits open communication and collaboration, as individuals become hesitant to voice their concerns or share their ideas. The resulting lack of transparency and teamwork hinders overall organizational effectiveness.

Why would anyone waste their energy to voice anything when no one is listening? They may be hearing, but they don’t listen. In Mike Myatt’s article Why Most Leaders Need to Shut Up and Listen, Mike indicated that while some people may be impressed with how well you speak, the right people will be impressed with how well you LISTEN. Great leaders are great listeners, they talk less and listen more, and as a result, they are very proactive, strategic, and intuitive listeners. They recognize knowledge and wisdom are not gained by talking but by listening.

?According to David Grossman, the most exceptional skill that any leader can master is becoming comfortable with silence. Don’t view silence as this empty space that needs to be filled, but learn to accept it and work with it; you will be amazed at how your silence opens up doors for others to speak and be heard. The result is often an unexpected and enlightening connection and a wealth of information.?

When you take the time to listen to someone, really take the time to listen actively; it shows you value the person, which is the ultimate form of respect. If you look bored or interrupt the person, you’re showing that you don’t really care what they have to say. Genuinely listening to someone as a leader shows you care about what they’re saying and empathize with their feelings. This creates a work environment of trust, and having your employees’ confidence gives you the ability to help everyone on your team become the very best version of themselves. At the same time, it inspires and motivates everyone to be more committed to their work.

Many people who hold leadership positions believe communication is only about talking. So they talk and talk and talk. They tell people what to think, how to think and when to think. Communication is also about listening. In fact, communication is mostly about listening. Leaders who do listen give themselves a chance to learn. They allow themselves to receive information from multiple sources and break it down into actionable tasks.?

Leadership is not only about directing and delegating; it is about building relationships, fostering collaboration, and listening to the voices of those around you. Leaders who fail to listen to their teams risk alienating their employees, stifling creativity, and inhibiting growth. On the other hand, leaders who embrace the power of listening can create an environment where everyone feels valued, empowered, and motivated to contribute their best.

Remember, you are the leader; you must set the example because you set the tone for everyone to follow. So, when you are talking with someone, for example, make that person the most important person in the world because it shows a level of respect and appreciation for what the person is actually saying and, in the process, permits others to do the same.?

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About The Author

I am the founder of Leadership First and one of the leading voices on inspirational leadership. At Leadership First, our 5.2M+ leaders trust Leadership First for their daily inspiration and motivation. Our team is committed to publishing the very best inspirational leadership quotes and articles from the best leadership minds in the world. We are dedicated to helping every leader create an excellent organization and to providing a daily cup of inspiration for all leaders.?