Art of Listening in Leadership

Maybe it’s easy for me to say, as a flaming (🔥) introvert, but what is the most underrated leadership skill? Listening. In a world that often rewards the loudest voice in the room, it's easy to forget that real influence doesn’t always come from speaking—it comes from truly hearing others. When leaders listen deeply, they signal respect. They create space for others to feel seen, valued, and safe. And in that space, trust takes root. Listening helps leaders: ▪️ Uncover perspectives they might otherwise miss ▪️ Make more informed decisions ▪️ Strengthen relationships ▪️ Build cultures of inclusion and engagement (Which matters in 2025 more than ever!) Anyone can speak. But to listen with intent—without interrupting, problem-solving, or waiting for your turn to talk—that takes humility and discipline. And the paradox? The more a leader listens, the more their words carry weight when they do speak. TLDR? In leadership, silence isn’t weakness. It’s wisdom.

💛 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗕𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗼𝗻: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 💛 𝙀𝙭𝙚𝙘𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 often brings to mind confidence, charisma, and the ability to command a room. But true presence goes beyond merely speaking well—it’s about 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 and 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺. 💛I love the 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 "𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻" (“聽“ pronounced tīng). Listening is an art. The character symbolizes listening with our ear (耳) as you would pay attention to the king (王) 👑 a call to elevate listening to royal importance. In listening, we observing with our eyes (目) and listening from the heart (心), giving full focus on the person (ten is completion) (十). 💛 𝗔𝗹𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗠𝗲𝗵𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗮𝗻’𝘀 𝟳-𝟯𝟴-𝟱𝟱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹 Words account for only 7% of our spoken message, while 38% comes from tone and voice, and a massive 55% from body language. If leaders listen only to words, they miss over 90% of what’s truly being communicated! To genuinely connect, we must tune in not just to the content but also to the tone, emotions, and unspoken signals in the room. Too often, leaders default to delivering a message one way, projecting their ideas without tuning into the signals around them. When we read our audience with an open mind and heart, we get a clearer picture of what’s really happening within our teams, with our customers, and throughout our organization. Actively listening is how we adapt and thrive. 💛 That is why coaching is the foundation of strong leadership. Before I launched my leadership programs, I began with an International Coaching Federation (ICF) coach certification program. Learning to listen at every level—words, body language, and tone—means that as leaders, we don’t just give instructions; we hear and understand. And that’s how we truly lead. 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: 👑 #𝟭 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗘𝘆𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 Focus fully on the speaker—eye contact, nodding, and an open posture signal that you’re present. Listen not to respond but to understand. 👑 #𝟮 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀 Be attuned to shifts in tone and pace. Often, emotions tell us more than the words themselves. 👑 #𝟯 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁 Recap what you’ve understood and check if you got it right. This shows respect, encourages open dialogue, and ensures you’re truly on the same page. "𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙨 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙖𝙠𝙨 𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙨 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚, 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙡𝙮 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙨, 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙫𝙤𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙥𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙨𝙩." 𝘼𝙣𝙣𝙚 𝙋𝙝𝙚𝙮 How do you practice listening as a leader? Share your thoughts below! #ExecutivePresence #Listen #LeadershipSkills #Coaching #Speaker #Leadership #Trainer #Coach #trust

Why Listening Is One of My Main Goals for 2025 "Most people think of great communicators as great speakers. But what about great listeners?" As I reflect on my growth and goals for 2025, one skill stands out as a game-changer: listening. True listening is more than just hearing words—it’s about creating connection, trust, and understanding. It’s a skill that not only enhances relationships but also transforms how we lead, inspire, and drive change. Leaders who listen effectively foster cultures where people feel valued and engaged. Studies even show that listening is the most critical communication skill in the workplace—above presenting or conversing. So, how can we master this underrated skill? Here are four key techniques I’ll be focusing on in my journey to becoming a better listener in 2025, inspired by powerful insights from leadership training: Listen Until the End Often, we’re tempted to jump in with solutions or personal anecdotes before someone has finished speaking. This year, I’m committing to staying present, allowing the speaker to fully express themselves, and resisting the urge to interrupt. Pausing before responding not only improves understanding but also creates space for meaningful conversations. Listen to Summarize, Not Solve It’s natural to want to fix problems immediately, but often what people need most is to feel understood. A simple “What I hear you saying is…” followed by a paraphrase can make a world of difference. It builds trust and shows empathy, paving the way for collaborative solutions. Balance Relationship and Content Listening involves two dimensions: the relationship (showing care) and the content (understanding the facts). Leaning too much into one can disrupt the conversation. A balance ensures you’re supporting the other person emotionally while addressing their needs effectively. Listen for Values Behind every challenge or concern is a set of personal values. Whether it’s a desire for respect, belonging, or achievement, understanding these underlying values allows us to guide others in a way that resonates deeply. This practice not only improves communication but also creates environments where teams thrive. Listening isn’t just a soft skill—it’s a leadership superpower. For me, 2025 will be about listening with purpose, building deeper connections, and empowering those around me. What about you? How do you plan to sharpen your listening skills in the year ahead? Let’s exchange ideas in the comments!

“𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻’𝘁 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆’𝗿𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀.” Yet, most senior leaders are trained to speak, direct, and decide, not listen. But in my coaching work with CXOs and leadership teams, I’ve seen this again and again: The most powerful shifts don’t come from what you say. They come from what you’re willing to hear. But this happens only when you understand that not all listening is the same. There are 3 levels at which leaders listen: 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝟭: 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 This is where you're listening through the filter of your own mind, your thoughts, your reactions, your judgments. You're more focused on what you think or need to say next. 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝟮: 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 Here, your attention shifts fully to the other person. You’re tuned into their words, ideas, and emotions. You hold space without needing to fix or reply. 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝟯: 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 This is where presence meets perception. You’re not just listening to a person, you’re sensing the room, the unspoken dynamics, the collective energy. It’s subtle but incredibly powerful. Most leaders operate at Level 1. High-performing leaders move into Level 2. But transformational leaders, the ones who influence deeply, learn to operate from Level 3. So, in your next team meeting, pause your inner dialogue. Let silence do the heavy lifting. And just listen. You’ll be surprised at what you finally start listening, not just in others, but in yourself too.

💡𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗼𝗿 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸? As technical experts, leaders are often very skilled at presenting complex information. But communication isn't just about talking—it's about truly hearing what others are saying. As an executive coach and management professor, I've observed that the most transformative leaders are often those who have mastered the art of active listening. Active listening is more than a soft skill—it's a strategic leadership competency that can revolutionize workplace dynamics, boost employee engagement, and drive organizational performance. Let me break down five critical components of active listening that can turn ordinary managers into exceptional leaders: 1️⃣ 𝘼𝙫𝙤𝙞𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙅𝙪𝙙𝙜𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩: Create an open channel for learning and connection - Suspend your preconceptions and personal biases. - Approach conversations with genuine curiosity and openness. - Recognize that your role is to understand, not to immediately evaluate or critique. 2️⃣ 𝘼𝙘𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬𝙡𝙚𝙙𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜: Validate the speaker's experience - Use non-verbal cues like maintaining eye contact and nodding. - Provide verbal affirmations that demonstrate you're actively engaged, paying attention, and interested in what they are saying. - Reflect back emotions you're sensing to show deep empathy and understanding. 3️⃣ 𝘼𝙨𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙌𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨: Dive deeper into understanding - Craft open-ended questions that invite meaningful dialogue. - Use probing questions to uncover underlying motivations and perspectives. - Show genuine interest in the speaker's thought process, not just the surface-level information. 4️⃣ 𝘾𝙝𝙚𝙘𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙐𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜: Ensure you're on the same page - Paraphrase key points to confirm your interpretation. - Ask clarifying questions to eliminate potential misunderstandings. - Demonstrate that you've not just heard, but truly comprehended the message. 5️⃣ 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜: Provide thoughtful, constructive feedback - Respond with empathy and respect. - Offer insights that build upon the speaker's perspective. - Create a collaborative dialogue that moves toward solutions. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗼𝗺 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗲 Active listening is a powerful leadership skill that can transform organizational culture. It builds trust, enhances collaboration, and creates an environment where employees feel genuinely heard and valued. This week I'm training senior leaders at the World Health Organization how to give and receive feedback skillfully. If you are interested in elevating your organization's communication and performance, let's connect and discuss how we can unlock your team's full potential. 💡 Leadership Development Workshops 🔍 Executive Coaching 📊 Performance Management & Coaching Skills Training #LeadershipDevelopment #ActiveListening #Feedback #ExecutiveCoaching

Leadership isn’t about having all the answers, It’s about asking better questions. Fighting to get heard in the workplace can be exhausting. I’m sure we’ve all experienced: - Drifting off mid-sentence - Realizing no one was listening - Wanting desperately to be heard And the harsh truth is... As leaders, we often create those moments for our teams, without even realizing it. Active listening isn’t just about being polite. It’s about understanding, absorbing, and responding. Yet it’s a skill that often gets overlooked because of: ❌ Time pressure ❌ Mental distractions ❌ The urge to 'fix' things These are real hurdles, but they can be overcome. Here’s how to turn active listening into your superpower: 1. Turn silence into your secret weapon After someone finishes speaking, pause for a few seconds. That silence often encourages them to share more. 2. Echo what you’ve heard Paraphrase: "So what I’m hearing is..." This shows you're engaged and ensures mutual understanding. 3. Ask better follow-up questions A simple 'Why' to explore the question behind the question.  Try: "What options did you consider and reject?" Listening isn’t passive. It’s a choice: ✅ that strengthens decision-making ✅ that improves team dynamics ✅ that builds trust So next time you’re in a conversation, ask yourself: Am I truly listening? Or just waiting for my turn to talk? ♻️ Repost to help your network become better listeners. 🔔 Follow Dave Kline for more.

I once had a teammate who was one of the hardest workers I’d ever served with. Sharp. Disciplined. Reliable. But over time, something shifted. He grew quiet. Pulled back. Disconnected. One afternoon, I asked if he was alright. He looked at me and said, “I stopped speaking up. No one’s really listening. They just wait for their turn to talk.” That moment stuck with me. He wasn’t looking for praise. He didn’t want special treatment. He just wanted to know his voice mattered. That’s when it hit me. Real leadership starts with listening. Not the kind where you nod while thinking about your response. The kind where you’re fully present. Listening with your head, your heart, and your intention. Because when someone feels heard, they feel valued. And when people feel valued, they give more. They commit deeper. They lead stronger. In this clip, I talk about what high-performance listening looks like in action. If you want to build a team that trusts, adapts, and grows together, it starts here. I wrote more on it here: 📖 “Listen to Understand: 6 Actions of High-Performance Listening” https://hubs.ly/Q03j9hDD0 The best leaders listen their people into greatness.

I often get asked about the key to great leadership. People expect me to talk about strategies, skills, or even personality traits. But in my experience, the most impactful leaders I've known all share one thing: they're expert listeners. Too often, we think of leadership as being the one with all the answers. The one who directs, decides, and delivers. But true leadership isn't about having a monologue; it's about creating a dialogue. It's about being present and genuinely hearing what your team has to say, their ideas, their concerns, their insights. When you make listening your priority, something powerful happens. You stop managing from a distance and start leading from within the team. You gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities on the ground. Most importantly, you build trust. People feel seen and valued, and that psychological safety is the bedrock of innovation and high performance. I've learned that the best ideas don't always come from the top. They often come from the frontline, from the people who are closest to the work. Our role as leaders is to tune in, amplify their voices, and clear the path so they can succeed. So, if you want to lead more effectively, try talking less and listening more. You might be surprised by what you hear.

Leadership = Listening Great leaders don’t just give orders—they listen. In the military, I learned that leadership isn’t about talking the most; it’s about understanding the people you lead. The same principle applies in real estate investing and business. When you take the time to listen, you make better decisions, build stronger teams, and earn real trust. Why Listening Makes You a Better Leader: ✔ People follow leaders who hear them. ✔ You gain insights you might have missed. ✔ It fosters respect, collaboration, and problem-solving. ✔ Understanding people’s needs helps you lead effectively. Leadership isn’t about knowing everything—it’s about learning, adapting, and guiding. If you want to lead, start by listening. Are you listening more than you speak? #Leadership #Listening #Trust #Success -------------- Hi, I’m Johnny Lynum. A veteran, entrepreneur, and real estate mentor. Follow me to learn how to build wealth and create passive income.

👂 One of the greatest superpowers in leadership isn’t speaking… it’s listening. In this photo from the Hertz Road to Success Leadership Program, I’m the trainer — but at that moment, I wasn’t talking. I was listening. Because leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about creating space for others to share theirs. When leaders listen: ➡️ People feel valued. ➡️ Better ideas surface. ➡️ Trust and engagement grow. Here are a few simple ways to strengthen your listening muscles as a leader: 1️⃣ Track your talk-to-listen ratio. Ask someone to time how much you speak vs. listen in meetings. The results may surprise you. 2️⃣ Pause before responding. Give the other person room to finish — and yourself time to process. 3️⃣ Ask open-ended questions. Replace “yes/no” with “tell me more about…” 4️⃣ Show you’re listening. Eye contact, notes, or a quick summary of what you heard builds trust. Great leaders don’t just talk about culture, strategy, or results. They listen them into existence. #Hertz #leadership #ACIL #leaderslisten