Episode D.023 The Best Leaders Are Listeners

Show Objectives
Steven Sample in The Contrarian's Guide to Leadership "The average person suffers from three delusions: 1. that he is a good driver 2. that he has a good sense of humor 3. that he is a good listener" We are born with two ears and one mouth and yet most people do more talking than listening. Good leaders and the best communicators get really good at listening. Humans, including your employees, don’t listen until they have been heard. Becoming a good listener is critical to your success as a business owner.

Why Listeners are more effective leaders
Listening is one of the most important skills we have as a leader and yet it is one that is most often taken for granted. How we listen can greatly influence our work relationships and our ability to succeed. Look at the impact good listening with your employees can have on your organization:

1. You will be a better leader
2. You will learn more about what motivates your employees
3. You can keep problems from escalating
4. You will establish trust
5. You can improve your bottom line

Effects of poor Communication
Listening is a key component of good communication. Misunderstandings occur when we don’t listen closely or don't ask clarifying questions. When we listen effectively we improve our ability to connect and understand the people that we interact with in our daily lives. 

Poor communication affects:

1. Culture
2. Productivity
3. Costs

Disadvantages of One-Way Communication

1. Loss of input
2. Lack of Feedback
3. Low Employee Morale

Use Active Listening Skills to improve Communication
In order to be a great listener, you will need to  set aside internal and external distractions. Doing this will allow you to listen without judgement or interruption. When we listen at this level we have to be emotionally and mentally invested in the conversation. This means we are fully engaged and fully present while the other person is talking. Stop what you are doing, make eye contact and pay attention to their words. It may sound easy but it takes intention to pull it off successfully. 

Follow these steps to master active listening:

1. Listen with an open mind
2. Be fully present and fully engaged in the moment
3. Listen objectively
4. Ask clarifying questions
5. Avoid the temptation to think about what you are going to say next

Benefits of Good Listening

1. You will establish mutual respect with your employees. When you value what they say, you show that your value them and their point of view which in turn creates loyalty and trust
2. You will develop conflict-resolution skills.
3. You will gain influence with your employees because they know you care about what they have to say and how they feel.
4. You will create a positive work environment by avoiding conflict and misunderstanding.

​Written by: Donna Kunde