It was probably later in my career than it should have been when I truly came to understand the importance of listening. As a young leader, I think I was more focused on being heard—on proving my value, sounding smart, and making an impact. Looking back, I can recall a dozen moments where I stepped in to “lead,” only to later realize that the best thing I could’ve done was simply shut up and listen.
The truth is, it’s hard to suspend judgment—especially when the topic matters deeply to you or you are accountable for some result. But the results of doing so are powerful. I’ve been in meetings where slowing down and really listening helped me understand a team member not just as an employee, but as a person. That insight allowed me to show up for them in a way that actually mattered.
I’ve also sat in rooms where I said nothing—just let the team work through disagreement—and watched relationships deepen in real time. And I’ve had moments where I thought I knew the answer but chose to stay quiet, only to see the team’s collective thinking produce a solution better than anything I would’ve offered. It turns out, the many times, the most powerful thing I can say in a meeting is nothing at all.
Listening Precedes Service
You can’t serve what you don’t understand. Leaders who listen to learn about the person and the issues are way more effective. They get much more loyalty, lower turnover, better motivation, and more powerful teams. When people feel heard, they’re more likely to trust both your intent and your direction.
Two Simple Practices to Start Today:
- The Two-Minute Pause – In your next meeting, pause discussion after a key point and invite two minutes of uninterrupted sharing from anyone affected. No rebuttals, just listening.
- Summarize & Signal – Close conversations with a sentence that begins, “What I’m hearing is…” followed by the agreed action. It affirms understanding and locks in accountability.