The Power Of Listening As A Leader

Sometimes the hardest truth about leadership is the simplest one. The best leaders I've worked with aren't the ones showing off how much they know. They're the ones who show up to listen. Really listen. But here's what most people miss - listening "like you're the least" isn't about acting dumb or playing small. It's about having the confidence to set your ego aside and create space for others to step into their power. When you listen from this place, magic happens: • People bring their full selves to the table • Innovation flows from unexpected places   • The quiet voices share their boldest ideas I've seen this transform teams from good to exceptional. Not through some fancy framework or methodology, but through the simple (and sometimes uncomfortable) act of genuine listening. Your team already has the answers. Your job is to be quiet enough to hear them. What's been your experience with this? When have you seen the power of real listening unlock something remarkable in your team? #leadership #teamdynamics #listening #growth

As CEO, one of the most valuable leadership lessons I have learned is the power of listening. True leadership is not about having all the answers, but about creating an environment where the best ideas can surface, and every voice is heard. Throughout my career, I’ve realized that you can do anything—but not everything—and that makes the ability to listen all the more important. Sometimes, we walk into a room with a plan formed from presentations and quick conversations. But the real wisdom comes when we pause, invite honest dialogue, and truly consider what our teams are telling us. My advice? Be approachable. Foster a culture where people feel comfortable bringing you their thoughts, feedback, and ideas. When you listen—really listen—you transform the dynamic, shifting from being viewed as the “smartest person in the room” to enabling the creation of the smartest room possible.

Most leaders listen. Great leaders uncover the unspoken. 93% of communication isn’t in the words people say. If you’re only hearing words,  you’re missing the real message. Great listening isn’t about hearing. It’s about uncovering the pauses, the tone, the hesitations. Most people think they know what they want,  but true needs are often hidden behind words. That’s why great leaders don’t just listen.  They uncover what others are afraid to say. I used to think I was a great listener. Until someone told me, “You only hear what you want to hear.” That stung, but they were right. I wasn’t listening. I was waiting to talk. And it was costing me trust, opportunities, and relationships. When I started paying attention to what wasn’t being said, everything changed. Conversations went deeper, trust grew, and problems I didn’t even know existed started to solve themselves. The LISTEN Framework: L – Look for non-verbal cues. Body language, tone, and pauses. They reveal the real story. I – Interrupt less. Silence is your superpower.  Try asking, “What else is on your mind?” S – Summarize what you heard. “What I’m hearing is...”  Builds trust and clarity. T – Tune out distractions. Eye contact beats multitasking. Put away your phone. E – Empathize actively. Feel their emotions,  Not just their words. N – Notice the unspoken. What’s avoided or left out often holds the truth. Here’s how I’ve seen this play out: 1️⃣ Negotiations: A client hesitated when mentioning their boss. I asked, “What can we do to support internal buy-in?” That one question saved the deal, which we closed the next week. 2️⃣ Meetings: A fidgeting team member revealed a project risk when I asked, “What’s on your mind?” Their insight saved us weeks of rework. 3️⃣ Coaching: A client kept saying, “I just want to do better.” I asked, “What does ‘better’ mean to you?” They opened up about feeling overwhelmed. That conversation gave them focus and renewed confidence. Listening isn’t just a skill. It’s a strategy for trust and impact. The next time you listen, ask: What’s not being said? The answer might surprise you. What truth have you uncovered by listening? ♻️ Repost to inspire better listening. ➕ Follow me for more leadership insights.

Every leader needs to hear this: In the leadership whirlwind, it's easy to get caught up in the never-ending to-do list. But here's something I can't stress enough: Being "too busy" to listen to your team is not an option.   When you listen, you not only show them respect. ➟ You connect with them. ➟ You build trust. ➟ You lead. 6 tips to be a leader who always listens: 1. Make Time for Conversations Don't wait for formal reviews. Ask for their perspectives often. It shows you're there not just when issues arise. 2. Hold Regular 1:1s Make it a non-negotiable part of your calendar. They're not just another meeting. They're a time to hear their challenges & achievements. 3. Encourage Open Dialogue Let your team know their thoughts are welcome. Any time. About anything. It's these conversations that spark innovation. 4. Listen More Than You Speak Sometimes, just being there to listen is more powerful than any advice you could give. 5. Act on What You Hear Listening is good. But acting on what you learn is what really matters. It shows you take their words seriously. 6. Create a Culture of Listening Lead by example. When your team sees you listening, they'll do the same. With you, and with each other. Leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about listening for them, together with your team. When you show your team they're heard, you not only affirm their value, you empower them to contribute and grow. That's the mark of a true leader. P.S. Have you ever had a leader who didn't listen? ___________ If you found this helpful, repost ♻️ to share with others. Thanks! And follow Nihar Chhaya, MBA, MCC for more leadership tips.

Change spreads faster when people feel heard. I ran a poll recently, and the #1 thing people wished leaders would do during change was simply: listen to concerns. And it makes sense. Listening isn’t passive. It’s an action that takes intention, courage, and time. Here’s how to make listening a leadership skill (not just a nice idea): 1. Start with an open prompt. Instead of “Any questions?” try: “What feels unclear right now?” or “What’s most on your mind about this?” 2. Hold the silence. I know it can be uncomfortable sitting in a quiet room. Count to 7 in your head if you need to. People will step into the space if you let them. 3. Capture, don’t fix. You don’t need to have an answer for every question or concern right away. Write it down in front of them. Show you value the input before rushing to defend or explain by saying you’ll get back to them. 4. Close the loop. Come back later with: “Here’s what I heard, here are the answers to your questions, and here’s what we’re doing with your suggestions.” That simple cycle of ask, pause, capture, close builds more trust than any glossy change campaign on it's own. What’s one listening move you’ve seen that really worked during change? #ChangeManagement #Transformation #Leadership #ChangeInfluence #LeadershipInAction #ChangeLeadership #ActiveListening

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.