Leadership Listening

Leaders are expected to have the answers. The traditional approach to teaching is the lecture. The commanding officer provides verbal directions and orders for his men. The CEO is the mouthpiece for the organization. Demonstrating listening skills is often not on the top of the list of needed leadership abilities. But in my opinion the art of listening is one of the most important factors to being an effective leader.

Two skills needed for effective listening are the ability to observe and the ability to ask questions. The power to observe allows the leader to see what others miss. Whether it is observing a situation, the actions of an employee, the relationships of others, the tension in a conversation, or the body language communicated by colleagues, the insights provided to the skillful observer can make the difference between resolution and explosion.

The second skill that increases effective listening is the ability to ask questions. A well formed inquiry, asked with sensitivity and honesty, can open hearts and minds to transparent exchanges that can lead to collaboration and understanding. If a leader focuses on asking the right question, his/her mind will be off his/her own thoughts and zeroed in on the words of his/her colleague. Clarifying questions, probing questions, and defining questions will all help to probe for rich understanding. Carefully worded questions of tact, expressed in love and concern, can help to communicate an openness and a desire to see things from the other perspective.

One final aspect of effective listening involves a non-judgmental spirit. It is so hard to open up to someone if you think they are going to judge you for your opinions, thoughts and/or ideas. On the other hand, if you feel a sense of unconditional support and a true desire to hear your perspective, there is a freedom to share your heart. The effective listener does not have to agree with his/her colleague or condone a particular point of view, but a sincere ear dedicated to understanding, will produce a spirit of collegiality. After giving someone your total attention and demonstrating your commitment to understanding his/her position, a conclusion to disagree is usually well received and even appreciated.