Stepping into Someone Else’s Shoes: A Game Changer for Leaders

A profound shift I experienced many years ago happened when a mentor taught me the importance of “getting into the head of the other person.”?

Later, I relearned this lesson by reading, Just Listen: Discover the Secret to Getting Through to Absolutely Anyone, by Mark Goulston. That book, which is about better, deeper listening, also dramatically shifted how I interact with people.?

My mentor and author Ghoulston awakened me to the idea of asking myself questions such as:?

• What is that person thinking??
• Where is he or she coming from??
• How does the world occur for him or her??

Considering these questions has allowed me to better understand others' perspectives and tailor my approach accordingly.?

The Power of Empathy in Leadership

Have you ever really tried to step into someone else's shoes, so to speak? When I do it, I can empathize with their experiences, anticipate their needs, and respond in a way that resonates with them.?

I talked about this with a recent guest on my podcast, Scaling Up Business (which you can watch below). The guest was Ryan Hawk, an author, advisor, and keynote speaker who is on a mission to make people like you become smarter leaders. He’s also the host of the Learning Leader Show, a podcast about helping leaders become more effective.?

Asking Permission?

One truly inspiring thing that Ryan talked about during our chat was his preference for seeking permission from someone before leading or teaching them. It was a great point that, like my examples at the start of this article, reminded me of how we can’t just steamroll through people to get what we want from them. Rather than impose our own agenda on someone, we should check in if they’re willing to collaborate with us.?

When Ryan and I—and hopefully you, too—create an environment where the other person feels heard and valued, that in turn fosters greater trust and rapport. This thoughtful approach to interacting with others is a hallmark of effective leadership.

I want to thank Ryan for inspiring me to write this article today. Be sure to watch my chat with Ryan below.?

The Pursuit of Excellence, with Ryan Hawk

Also, connect with Ryan on LinkedIn and listen to Ryan’s podcast, The Learning Leader Show .?

Listen to episodes of the Scaling Up Business Podcast with Bill Gallagher on your favorite podcast player:?

• Apple Podcasts .
• Spotify .?
• Amazon Music .