Great leaders should be great listeners. We believe that listening is fundamental to the honesty of any conversation…especially in business. When employees say they want to be heard, what they really want is for their leader to listen.

In this age of instant communication and short attention spans, active and generous listening can feel like a luxury. But it is time well spent. Listening is a critical skill that when finely tuned, creates trust and builds loyalty. How are your listening skills? What are you NOT hearing?

-Do you listen without comparing the speaker to yourself? 
-Do you try to understand the "why" behind the speaker's perspective? 
-Do you listen openly without judging what is being said? 
-Do you listen without trying to find a solution or give advice? 
-Do you pay attention to body language, facial expressions and mood? 
-Do you prepare your rebuttal in your mind while the speaker is still talking?

There is far more to be gained by surrendering the floor than dominating a conversation. Talking less and listening more may be a tool you could consider.