Are you Practising Level 2 Listening?

A key skill that every leader needs to have if they want to be successful is listening.

It may sound simple, but being an active listener as a leader is one of the more challenging skills you need to master.?

That's why today I'm answering the question: How do you lead through listening?

Now there are two main types of listening every leader should be aware of in the workplace. They are Level 1 listening and Level 2 listening.

But before I explain these further, let's make a drink to help wake us up in the morning, or keep us warm on a winter’s day. Today we’re making a London Fog.

Click on the video below to make this tea with me and learn how you can lead through listening.

When you make this drink for yourself and give it a try, you can see why it's called a London fog. You take a sip and you’re transported to London on a gray, cloudy day where thick fog has encapsulated the city in its mysterious cloak.?

The reason I chose a London Fog is because the idea of being covered in a thick fog is a great metaphor for explaining the differences between Level 1 and Level 2 listening.

So let's start with Level 1 listening. Level 1 listening is when you’re putting the focus of a conversation on yourself. When a person listens at Level 1, they’re listening to the sound of their own inner voice. The focus of their attention and listening energy is on themselves. When you’re in Level 1 listening you’re listening to yourself instead of listening to others.?

With Level 2 listening, you’re putting the focus of the conversation on the person you’re speaking with. When you practice Level 2 listening, your thoughts and questions are all concentrated on the other person. You’re paying attention to what someone else is saying and how it affects them, not how it impacts you. You’re dedicating your listening energy to thinking about the other person and the issues they are currently facing.

As a leader, it's your job to use Level 2 listening effectively, especially when working with your teams to engage with what they’re saying, see their perspective, discover solutions to problems and create?action plans together.

Now the problem in today’s working world is that many leaders are stuck in Level 1 listening. They are not looking at problems from the perspective of another person, which leads to misunderstandings and miscommunication. Is this happening to you??

Organizations with leaders who use Level 1 listening are covered in that thick London Fog I mentioned earlier. Nobody can properly communicate, make cohesive decisions or understand what each other truly needs. Leaders need to use Level 2 listening so they can take action in the most effective way for their people.

If you'd like to learn more about how to lead through listening and the other coaching skills book a Discovery Call with me.?

Download my London Fog/Leading Through Listening Recipe Card HERE

Thanks for reading and here’s to more Level 2 listening,