It has been said many times that we have two ears and one mouth for a reason – to listen twice as much as we speak.
In leadership, this is critical. Many people mistakenly believe that when you are in a leadership role that you have to prove yourself to be the expert by spouting off a ton of information. In reality, the best way to lead people is to listen to them. The higher you rise in leadership, the more intently you need to listen. Many times, the key leader is the last person to know what is going on because what’s happening at the grass roots level takes a long time to work it’s way up to him or her.
Consider the following:
- What are your followers feeling about the current reality of the team or organization?
- What are the greatest challenges or fears that your followers are dealing with?
- What do your followers know that you don’t know?
- Ask “How can I help you?” before you end any conversation with a colleague or follower.
In this day and age, listening is truly an art. I would go as far to say that it can be a significant difference maker in the success or failure of a leader. John Maxwell wrote a book called “Good Leaders Ask Great Questions.” In it, he explains why questions are important. He also shares questions he asks himself and his team members.
As you reflect on your leadership today, take some time to evaluate if you are a good listener or not. If you are, keep improving! If you aren’t, start today to ask more questions and hold your tongue. When you feel the urge to speak, hold it in and give space to the other person to speak.
Contrary to the saying that “what you don’t know won’t hurt you”, in leadership what you don’t know can derail you. Don’t be caught off-guard. Listen intently to your followers and watch your leadership grow as you make better informed decisions!
Be Intentionally Great Today!
