Comments on: Listen Like a Leader

By: Randy Hall

Randy Hall — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:14:38 +0000

Gwyn,

You are so right about the humility aspect. People choose to listen more carefully to those they believe can help them or add value to them. If a leader is too arrogant, he or she won’t believe many people have that ability and will tune them out. There have been times when I’ve made that mistake in my career and I’ve certainly seen many leaders go down that same path.

Thanks for pointing out what often is the root cause of not listening well in the first place.

Randy

By: Randy Hall

Randy Hall — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:11:14 +0000

Monica,

Thanks you so much for your thoughts and wonderful insight. I love the music along with the words analogy and I think it fits so well with this concept.

Thanks for stopping by, as always, you add value.

Randy

By: Gwyn Teatro

Gwyn Teatro — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:45:56 +0000

Hi Randy, As I read your story about the new leader, meeting his team for the first time, what came to mind for me was the importance of humility in leadership. Leaders who demonstrate true humility and good grace are also likely to place the emphasis away from themselves and onto others. Those who are skilled at this are more than likely better able to suspend their own thoughts and opinions long enough to take in someone else’s and to me, that is what makes a good listener.

By: Monica Diaz

Monica Diaz — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 03:23:56 +0000

I always say that it is important to listen to the music along with the words. What’s the ambiance they are said in? What meaning do they acquire because of tone of voice, body language, timing of the comment, people present and other “music” around what is being said. Two leaders I admire: one I married, one I worked for, are always ready to listen and do not talk until they are sure they have heard that music along with the words. Being in their presence is compelling. People not only follow them, they are attracted to their message because they hear how it shifts with their input, growing ever more relevant. Thanks for your thoughtful post, Randy!

By: Do You Set People Up to Win?

Do You Set People Up to Win? — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 03:01:10 +0000

[...] an excellent post titled “Listen Like a Leader”, Randy Hall shares a great story illuminating a trap that people in leadership positions can easily [...]

By: Randy Hall

Randy Hall — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:44:50 +0000

It’s always a great day when Susan and Gini both stop by! Thank you both! As usual, your comments make the page much better than my post alone.

Randy

By: Susan Mazza

Susan Mazza — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:50:37 +0000

Great story and powerful lesson. One of the issues I so often see leaders struggle with is evoking a sense of ownership among their people. Listening is essential to fostering a culture of ownership where personal responsibility and accountability rule.

By: Gini Dietrich

Gini Dietrich — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:05:43 +0000

One of the examples I always use when I speak to CEOs is of Bill Clinton. No matter what you think of his job as President, he is a master communicator and one of our greatest leaders. Why? Because he listened. If you watch video of him in a news conference, he always listens to the question asked, thinks for a moment, and then answers. He never cuts off the reporter asking the question and he never answers hurriedly. Even if he knows the answer before the reporter asks the question, he still listens. And you’re right, he’s hearing the words and taking in any substance he may not have considered as he formulated his answer.

Master communicators and effective leaders are one in the same – they listen, they absorb, then they act.