Importance of Active Listening

Great leadership requires great listening. Ignoring that point is a sure way to fail. Thanks to my friend Rob Dance for this insight. Leaders who talk more than they listen: ↳Miss out on excellent ideas from others ↳Make costly mistakes by discouraging dissent ↳And drive their best people away Eventually, the only people left will be those who have nothing to say. Instead, learn to truly listen to your team. Here are 8 ways to do so more effectively: 1) Actively Prioritize Listening Over Talking ↳Aim to listen more than you speak during meetings or conversations ↳Make a conscious effort to give others the floor 2) Ask Open-Ended Questions ↳Get your people talking with questions - the more open-ended the better ↳Ask things that can't be answered with a yes or no, like: "What challenges are you facing?" or "How do you think we can improve this?" 3) Make Feedback Safe ↳Create an environment where employees feel safe to give input without fear of judgment or punishment ↳Explicitly invite openness and assure confidentiality when necessary 4) Listen Without Judgment ↳Avoid jumping to conclusions or interrupting ↳Let the person finish before responding, and keep an open mind 5) Be Present ↳Eliminate distractions such as checking your phone or multitasking ↳Give the person your full attention, face them, and make eye contact 6) Have Regular One-on-One Check-Ins ↳Dedicate time for individual conversations ↳Use them to understand concerns, goals, and suggestions 7) Allow Anonymous Feedback ↳Use tools like surveys or suggestion boxes (which can be virtual)  ↳This allows employees to share candid thoughts they might not feel comfortable expressing in person 8) Follow Up ↳Show you listened by taking action on feedback or providing updates ↳If an employee suggests a tool to improve productivity, for example, explore it and report back A leader who really listens creates a culture where people feel valued and appreciated. That then encourages them to keep contributing and keep working harder, Which has powerful results. Are there other techniques you use to make sure you're truly listening? --- ♻️ Repost to help others understand the importance of listening. And follow me George Stern for more content like this.

I used to think I was a good listener. Then someone told me: "You listen to fix, not to understand." That hurt. Because it was true. Now I know - great listeners don't: • Jump in with solutions • Share their similar stories • Fill silences with small talk • Give advice nobody asked for • Make conversations about themselves • Rush to fill uncomfortable moments Instead, they do something rare: They create space for connection and understanding to emerge. (Even when it is uncomfortable.) And it changed everything. 5 habits that transformed my listening (and might just transform yours): 1/ Extended Silence Let thoughts breathe. Most gold comes after the pause. The real story often starts where most conversations end. Trust the silence. 2/ Zero Fixing Unless explicitly asked, your solutions stay in your pocket. Most people don't need your advice. They need your presence. The answers they seek often lie within them. 3/ Full Presence Your phone is a barrier. Choose presence or choose distraction. There is no middle ground. Every glance at your screen says "Something else matters more." 4/ Genuine Questions Not disguised advice. Not leading questions. Real curiosity. "What was that like for you?" or "What matters most about this?" Let their answers surprise you. 5/ Comfort with Discomfort Some conversations need space for sadness, anger, or confusion. Not every moment needs fixing. Not every story needs a happy ending. Sometimes holding space is the solution. This isn't easy listening. It's not for everyone. And that's exactly why it matters. If you: - Need to be seen as helpful - Can't handle silence - Always have a solution - Love giving advice - Think faster than you listen This path will be painful. But necessary. Try it today: One conversation. Complete presence. No fixing. No sharing. Just space. You might feel useless. You might feel uncomfortable. You might feel like you're doing it wrong. That's the point. Real listening isn't about you. It never was. --- Inspired by Kate Murphy's "You're Not Listening: What You're Missing and Why It Matters" and brought to you by Omar's Desk. Image Credit: @holidayphillips and @sylviaduckworth

Leadership isn’t about having all the answers, It’s about asking better questions. Fighting to get heard in the workplace can be exhausting. I’m sure we’ve all experienced: - Drifting off mid-sentence - Realizing no one was listening - Wanting desperately to be heard And the harsh truth is... As leaders, we often create those moments for our teams, without even realizing it. Active listening isn’t just about being polite. It’s about understanding, absorbing, and responding. Yet it’s a skill that often gets overlooked because of: ❌ Time pressure ❌ Mental distractions ❌ The urge to 'fix' things These are real hurdles, but they can be overcome. Here’s how to turn active listening into your superpower: 1. Turn silence into your secret weapon After someone finishes speaking, pause for a few seconds. That silence often encourages them to share more. 2. Echo what you’ve heard Paraphrase: "So what I’m hearing is..." This shows you're engaged and ensures mutual understanding. 3. Ask better follow-up questions A simple 'Why' to explore the question behind the question.  Try: "What options did you consider and reject?" Listening isn’t passive. It’s a choice: ✅ that strengthens decision-making ✅ that improves team dynamics ✅ that builds trust So next time you’re in a conversation, ask yourself: Am I truly listening? Or just waiting for my turn to talk? ♻️ Repost to help your network become better listeners. 🔔 Follow Dave Kline for more.

When I launched my podcast, I had to interview smart minds. I was nervous and unprepared. I treated every conversation like ping-pong. I asked, they answered. Back and forth. Hit and miss. No depth, no insight, no connection. This is how most of us communicate. We talk to reply, not to learn. “Listening is an art that requires attention over talent, spirit over ego, others over self.” - Dean Jackson Your listening and communication skills determine your success in: - Sales - Relationships - Leadership - Life Bottom line: It matters. And we can do better. I’ve improved a lot. It wasn’t easy, but these are 5 frameworks that helped me listen better and transform how I communicate. 1. The Ladder of Inference (Bias). We often make assumptions and jump to conclusions, without checking the facts and logic. This leads to confusion, conflict, and poor decisions. To avoid this, we need to climb DOWN the ladder and question our thinking. This is a dangerous ladder that creates bias and limits us. 2. The Five Whys. A simple way to go deeper. Ask “why” (5 times) until you find the root cause. - It uncovers hidden assumptions and beliefs. - It prevents superficial solutions. - Be curious and open-minded and keep digging. 3. Affective Frame A technique teachers use. When you know why you care, you’ll pay more attention (and listen better). We can lose focus and drift away. Constantly remind yourself of the purpose and value of the conversation. You’ll stay engaged longer. 4. Signal vs. Noise: Signal: The main message or idea. Noise: Anything that distracts, confuses, or weakens the signal. We’re bad at expressing our thoughts. This leads to chaos. - Be clear and concise. - Use simple words and sentences. - Avoid jargon and filler words. This will help the other person focus. Complex questions or vague thoughts lead to messy back and forth. 5. The Pareto Principle. We don’t need to cover every topic every time. Pareto principle tells us that 80% of the outcomes come from 20% of the inputs, actions, or ideas. However, more often than not, we repeat 80% of the things that only produce 20% of the results, instead of the opposite. This happens because the 20% that produces the 80% is the hard work, the tough tasks, the deep, challenging questions. Remember. Time is precious. We only have so much time to communicate and get things done. - Focus on the important work. - Have the difficult conversation. - Ask the hard questions. That’s how you make every conversation count.

Are you listening to understand...or just to reply? Listening isn't just hearing. It's the cornerstone of leadership. When leaders truly listen, they gain more than information. They earn their team's respect, trust & loyalty. Improve your listening skills with these techniques: 1. The 3 A's of Active Listening: • Attitude: Bring an open mind to every conversation. • Attention: Give the speaker your undivided focus. • Adjustment: Be willing to change your perspective. 2. The SOLER Technique: • Squarely face the person. • Open your posture. • Lean in. • Eye contact is key. • Remain relaxed while listening. 3. Confirm You Understand: • Reflect back what was said in your own words. • Ask the person if you got it right. The best leaders are the best listeners. And it's a skill anyone can learn. Transform your leadership, one conversation at a time. Find this helpful? Repost ♻️ to share the learning. Thanks! And follow Nihar Chhaya, MBA, MCC for daily leadership tips. P.S. What's your go-to tip for active listening?

Why do so many leaders wait for a resignation to ask, “What went wrong?” I’ve been there. You see the resignation email, and the first thought is, "What went wrong?" But by then, it’s already too late. After countless conversations with teams and leaders, I’ve realized this critical truth: Employees don’t suddenly disengage. They give signs—small ones at first. When we don’t listen, those signs become silent, and silence leads to exits. So here’s my 4-step approach to building a culture of listening: 1️⃣ Regular 1:1 check-ins that are about them, not just projects. 2️⃣ Anonymous pulse surveys—sometimes the quietest voices have the loudest insights. 3️⃣ Act on the feedback you receive. Even small changes show you care. 4️⃣ Celebrate team wins and personal milestones—you can’t overdo appreciation. Your team wants to be heard. The question is, are you listening?

The Quiet Revolution: Why Great Leaders Close Their Mouths "The most powerful person in the room isn't the loudest. It's the one who listens." I learned this the hard way. Early in my leadership journey, I thought my job was to have all the answers. To speak first. To fill silences. What I didn't realize? Every time I rushed to speak, I shut down possibility. Last year, during a tense strategy meeting at a client organization, I watched a CEO transform her entire team dynamic with one simple phrase: "I need to hear from everyone before I share my thoughts." The ideas that emerged changed their entire product roadmap. When leaders don't listen: 🚫 Innovation dies quietly 🚫 Diverse perspectives remain unshared 🚫 Psychological safety evaporates 🚫 The most vulnerable team members disappear Recent research reveals the business impact: ✅ Teams with high psychological safety are 76% more engaged  ✅ Active listening can increase collaboration by up to 25% ✅ Organizations with psychologically safe environments see 27% lower turnover But here's what nobody tells you about real listening: It's uncomfortable. It requires you to: 👂 Hold space for emotions you didn't expect 👂 Hear feedback you might not like 👂 Sit with silence instead of filling it 👂 Change your mind when the data demands it The most inclusive cultures aren't built with grand announcements or policies. They're built in small moments of genuine attention. For my LGBTQ+ colleagues, being truly heard might be the first time they've ever felt safe bringing their whole selves to work. For your team members from underrepresented groups, your listening might be the first time they've felt their expertise valued over their identity. Try this tomorrow: 1. In your next meeting, ask a question and count to 7 before speaking again 2. When someone shares an idea, respond with "Tell me more" instead of immediate judgment 3. Notice who never speaks, and create space specifically for their voice Real listening isn't passive. It's one of the most active, purposeful things a leader can do. It's not just kindness. It's strategy. 💬 When did someone's listening change the trajectory of your career? Share below. I'm listening. In Community and Conversation, Jim

A little secret I've learned in my years of consulting with C-level leaders: The most effective leaders often speak last in meetings. Why? Because true leadership isn't about having all the answers – it's about creating an environment where great ideas can flourish. Even at LS International, when I step into a meeting room, I make it a point to listen first. Here's why: 1. It shows respect: By letting others speak first, you're saying, "Your ideas matter." 2. It uncovers hidden gems: Sometimes the best ideas come from unexpected places. 3. It builds confidence: When team members feel heard, they're more likely to share in the future. 4. It prevents groupthink: Speaking last helps you avoid influencing opinions too early. 5. It improves decision-making: With all ideas on the table, you can make more informed choices. I remember a time when a junior team member shared an idea that completely changed our approach to a big project. If I had spoken first, we might have missed out on that breakthrough moment. Speaking last is about active listening. It's about asking the right questions and encouraging deeper discussions. When you do finally speak, your words carry more weight. You can build on the team's ideas, connect different viewpoints, and guide the conversation towards a strong conclusion. So, next time you're in a meeting, try holding back. Listen. Encourage. Appreciate. You might be surprised at the symphony of ideas that emerges. Have you tried speaking last in meetings? I'd love to hear about your experiences! #Leadership #EffectiveCommunication #BusinessStrategy #Meetings #JeffBezos

Here’s something I see all the time. Prospect speaks. The salesperson is already thinking about what to say next and isn't listening. Good communication isn't about asking a question. Then another question. And another. Good communication is about making others feel understood. You're allowed to pause for two beats after someone is done talking. Set aside having the answer. Don't offer ideas. It's not your job to fill your prospect's head with information. Your job is to draw it out. Give people space to develop their own answers. People trust their advice, not your advice.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 & 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀  🎧💡 In a world where everyone is eager to speak, few take the time to truly listen. Listening is not about agreeing; it’s about understanding. A while back, during a strategy meeting across one of our business ventures, different teams had conflicting ideas, each convinced their solution was the best. Instead of jumping in with a decision, I chose to listen - really listen. I asked more questions, encouraged every viewpoint, and let the conversation unfold. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁? A breakthrough idea emerged, combining the strengths of all perspectives. Had I spoken first, we might have missed it. When people feel unheard, they become defensive. When they feel understood, they become open to discussion. This is true in leadership, business, and even everyday conversations. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 ✅ 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝘀 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁 & 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 When leaders genuinely listen, employees and colleagues feel valued and respected. This fosters trust and strengthens relationships. ✅ 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻-𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 Great ideas don’t come from one person alone. By listening to your team, you gain diverse perspectives, leading to better solutions and strategies. ✅ 𝗘𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 & 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 When employees feel heard, they are more willing to share ideas and take initiative, driving innovation in the workplace. ✅ 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘆 Listening allows leaders to understand different viewpoints, helping them mediate disputes with empathy and clarity. ✅ 𝗘𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗲 & 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱—they want to be heard and understood. A leader who listens creates a culture where employees feel motivated and engaged. This video perfectly illustrates how active listening can change the way we connect with others. Instead of reacting, dismissing, or arguing, we should: ✔️𝗣𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻—Not to reply, but to understand. ✔️ 𝗔𝗰𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀—Validation doesn’t mean agreement, it means respect. ✔️𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘆—When people feel heard, they are more open to dialogue. ✔️𝗔𝘀𝗸 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 – Encourage deeper conversations and better insights by being curious. 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 Speaking less doesn’t mean being silent—it means choosing your words wisely while ensuring every voice is heard. 💬 Have you ever changed someone’s mind simply by listening? #Leadership #ActiveListening #Empathy #TrustBuilding #CommunicationMatters #ActiveListening #BusinessGrowth #TeamSuccess