Just Listen
Listening is an art, and it can be a difficult one to master, especially when the information being communicated is challenging to process or accept. However, this skill is not just a mere accessory in the arsenal of a leader; it is a fundamental aspect that can define the success or failure of their leadership journey.
As a leader, your role extends beyond directing your team, executing plans, and delivering results. Effective leadership involves building relationships, fostering trust, and creating an environment where everyone feels heard. You can achieve this by listening with empathy.
When you listen, avoid doing it for the sole purpose of judging the feedback or to find reasons to justify why the other person might be wrong. Leadership is not a battlefield where you seek to outwit your opponents and constantly prove that you’re right. It is a journey that you embark on with your team, a journey that requires mutual understanding and respect. Leading effectively is not about being right; it’s about doing what’s right for your team and your organization.
Consider This…
Do the perspectives of your team matter to you? If your answer is yes, then you need to create a space where feedback is encouraged. If you don’t foster a culture where feedback is welcomed, you won’t receive any. Similarly, if you are not open to tough feedback, it’s unlikely that your team will be either. This creates a cycle where growth and improvement become stagnant.
Imagine a situation where you are at the gym with your personal trainer. The trainer, observing your workout, suggests that you need to make adjustments to your form. However, you think to yourself, “I know my form is good, the trainer must be mistaken.” This mindset is detrimental. It not only undermines the expertise of your trainer but also hinders your potential growth. Ask yourself these questions: Do you trust your trainer? Do you want to learn how to improve your form, or are you merely seeking constant validation?
This gym scenario underscores the importance of an external perspective. If your goal is to constantly learn, grow, and become a more effective leader, you need to be able to accept and appreciate challenging feedback. It might feel uncomfortable at first, but remember, growth often happens outside of our comfort zones.
If you dismiss your trainer’s advice about your form, you miss an opportunity to improve and grow. The same applies to leadership. If you dismiss feedback or avoid challenging conversations, you miss out on opportunities to learn and become a more effective leader.
It’s a Two-Way Street
Moving forward, it is important to recognize that leadership is not a solitary journey. It involves a constant exchange of ideas, perspectives, and feedback. Being a leader means being a part of a larger conversation, a conversation where everyone’s voice is valued and heard. This is where the art of empathetic listening becomes even more crucial.
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. When you listen with empathy, you are not just hearing the words; you’re also understanding the emotions, motivations, and intentions behind them. This level of understanding can lead to more effective communication, stronger relationships, and a more harmonious team environment.
Your team is a rich source of diverse perspectives, unique experiences, and valuable insights. Their voices can offer a wealth of knowledge and learning opportunities that can propel your organization forward. But for that to happen, you must be open to hearing them. You must encourage feedback and create a space where everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas.
Moreover, it’s not enough to just encourage feedback; you must also be open to receiving tough feedback. It might be difficult to accept criticism or hear something that contradicts your beliefs or ideas, but it is through these challenging conversations that real growth occurs. If you shy away from difficult feedback, you not only limit your growth but also set a precedent for your team to do the same.
You Need A Mirror
An external perspective can be a valuable tool in your leadership journey. It offers a fresh set of eyes, a different angle, and a new way of looking at things. If your goal is to continually learn, grow, and evolve as a leader, then you must learn to accept, appreciate, and learn from challenging feedback.
As you continue on your leadership journey, remember this: Listen with an open mind. Listen to understand, not just to reply. And most importantly, listen to grow. Because it is through listening that we learn, and it is through learning that we become better leaders.
