Lessons From Listening: Leadership Skills That Anyone Can Use (But Few Do)

What if I told you that you already have one of the most powerful leadership tools that you could ever hope to have access to?

What’s the tool?

Listening.

Listening is one of the most underrated leadership skills, and yet I believe it to be one of the most powerful. When you are leading other people, it’s important to understand that before they will give you their hands (what they do), you have to win their heart. You have to earn their trust. And one of the best ways I know to do that is to listen to them.?

Ralph Nichols noted, “The most basic of all human needs is the need to understand and be understood. The best way to understand people is to listen to them.”?

When you listen to your team members - really listen to what they are saying, and ask questions that reflect active listening - they will feel heard. They will believe it when you say that you are FOR them (not just because of what they do). They will lean in. Retention will rise; churn will fall. And the results will be seen on the bottom line.

That’s not why we do it of course. We do it because they matter. We listen because we want to hear what they have to say. And if you have a teachable spirit (something I require of clients I work with), you might be amazed at what you learn by listening. Carey Nieuwhof said, “If you listen longer than most people listen, you hear things most people never hear.”

Truly listening in an active way reflects that teachable spirit. And what a leader models is often what followers will do.?

Imagine if you were leading a team where the team members all listened - really listened - to one another. Imagine what could be accomplished. Imagine the environment that would be created. What would it be like to live in that environment? What would it be like to lead it?

You can find out. You simply have to choose to lead the way.

One of my favorite quotes comes from the great interviewer Larry King. He said, "I remind myself every morning: Nothing I say this day will teach me anything. So if I'm going to learn, I must do it by listening. I never learned anything while I was talking."?

Are you being intentional about leveraging this powerful leadership tool with your team? How about with your clients??

This can change everything.?

Communication - which involves speaking AND listening - is a challenge for many leaders. But it's not an optional add on for leadership - it is critical. That’s why in June, I’m teaming up with Jake Stahl for a new LinkedIn Live event: Leading with Authenticity: Transformative Communication for Agency and Business Owners.?

Why is communication so difficult? Is there any way to learn and grow in this crucial skill? Will improving it REALLY affect team member retention and the bottom line?

In today's fast-paced business environment, authentic communication is more critical than ever. It builds trust, inspires teams, and drives success. Jake Stahl and I will guide you through practical strategies and techniques to enhance your communication skills and lead with authenticity.

Key Takeaways:

- Understand the importance of authenticity in leadership and communication.

- Learn practical techniques for fostering genuine connections with your team and clients.

- Discover how transformative communication can drive organizational success.

- Gain insights into overcoming common communication barriers in business settings.

Who Should Attend:

- Agency Owners

- Business Owners

- Entrepreneurs

- Managers and Team Leaders

- Anyone interested in improving their leadership and communication skills

Don't miss this opportunity to transform your communication style and lead with authenticity. Register here for this free event and take the first step towards becoming a more effective and inspiring leader.

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We’re coming up on the halfway point in 2024. Has this year lived up to your hopes and expectations? What steps are you taking to become the leader that your team and your company need you to be? It's not just going to happen. It takes intentionality. And that's where coaching comes in.?

As an Executive Coach specializing in Mindset and Leadership, I work with entrepreneurs, founders, executives, and C-suite leaders who want to become catalytic in their leadership. Through 1:1 coaching, they move from where they are stuck to where they want to be.?

I'm opening 2 slots for new clients. I don't accept every person who approaches me about coaching; in fact, I turn down those who I believe are not ready or a good fit for what I do. If you'd like to explore whether Executive Coaching is your next step toward the impact you want to make, let's talk . No hard sales pitch. If it's not right for both of us, I'll tell you so. My goal is to help leaders get out of their own way and stop breaking their own businesses, to see them move into being catalytic in their impact and their legacy. If you're ready, book a time for us to talk .

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If you want to learn more about developing a healthy mindset, leading your team with excellence and intentionality, and overcoming the chaos you're facing and finding the calmness you need, here are some ways you can take your next step:

1. You can subscribe to my Catalytic Leadership Podcast , where I interview entrepreneurs, agency and business owners, and leaders who share their wisdom and insights about their journey, leading teams, achieving business goals, conquering overworking and overthinking, healthy and effective communication, the catalytic mindset, and more. Choose the platform you like and subscribe to the show!
2. You can subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch the podcast interviews instead of just listening to them.
3. You can purchase a copy of my newest book, Catalytic Leadership: 12 Keys to Becoming an Intentional Leader Who Makes a Difference . (available in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook). I captured 12 key principles that I’ve seen consistently in the thousands of coaching conversations I’ve had with hundreds of leaders over the last 25+ years.
4. You can book a call if you'd like my help with either 1:1 coaching for you, or help coaching and developing your team into the high-performance team you know it can be. I provide 1:1 coaching for entrepreneurs, founders, agency owners, and leaders, and provide group coaching for teams.?

Did you find this newsletter helpful? I would love to hear your feedback and thoughts.

I’m cheering you on!?

--William