Effective listening is not something that happens by chance. It’s a skill. It takes hundreds and even thousands of hours of practice to develop.
Once you grow in this area, however, no other skill will serve you better in life.
Effective listening is at the heart of everything we do as leaders.
Whether working with a client, giving feedback to our partner or employee at work, or attempting to choose a paint color with our spouse at home, our ability to listen effectively gives us an advantage in just about every situation.
Are you listening to speak?
Are you listening to hear?
Or are you honestly listening to understand?
Effective listening can arguably be the single most important skill that we can develop as leaders because it is the bridge through which we understand other people … and without understanding, we lack clarity. Without clarity, we cannot lead.