At its essence, leadership is not about big speeches or decisive commands. It’s mostly about the subtle yet powerful act of listening. In my journey, I witnessed over and over again leadership starts with a genuine willingness to listen. It’s not just to hear, but to understand. It’s doing your best to comprehend the thoughts and ideas of your team. Then, you can turn these ideas into actions.
Patient Listening
In my experience, an important aspect of effective communication is patience. People have a different pace to communicate and share. I have been learning to ask questions and then waiting. It gives people the time and space they need, often revealing deeper insights.
Listening to Share, Not to Solve
A continual challenge for me has been mastering ‘Listening to Share, Not to Solve’. In most cases, people talk about a few problems but they aren’t looking for solutions. They are just sharing how they feel. Sometimes, they need some advice. Balancing when to listen and give advice is hard but it gets better by knowing the person better.
Inclusivity in Listening
Some people don’t have a tendency to talk in larger forums. They might go unheard if you don’t ask their opinion directly. Hence, it’s important to give them a chance to speak their mind by asking them directly.It’s about valuing all voices equally, leading to a richer understanding of team dynamics.
Reducing Disruptions
Another key aspect of effective listening is reducing distractions. This means turning down or putting away our phones and other devices during conversations. When I turn off my phone or put it away during conversations, it’s my way of telling my team that I’m completely focused on them. This simple act is a strong way to show them respect and that I’m really there with them at that moment.
My listening journey still continues. It’s full understanding diverse perspectives, respecting ideas, and guiding the team towards goals. I have a long way to go to do better in listening but I’m on it.