Leadership is Listening
There’s a CEO in the news who has posed some provocative questions about the productivity of their newly-hired staff. It’s being called a “Masterclass in management.”
I’m delighted! It demonstrates an empathetic style of leadership that I try (but too often fail) to put to work.
When I’m approaching a new topic, especially if it feels urgent, I am at risk of engaging it in an unsubtle way. I might roll my sleeves up and dive right in, sharing my ideas and experience. This can leave my collaborators feeling less than appreciated.
Contrast this with a leader who asks questions that show they’re interested in gaining understanding from the team. They’ve adopted a listening posture. I find this very appealing in a leader.
Years ago, I was hired as a consultant to develop a slogan. My client built software for taking employee surveys. The slogan we came up with was “Leadership is Listening.”
I love this slogan. The words serve as reminders in two completely different ways. First, it reminds employees that our leaders are present and are listening to them. The surveys are evidence of that, of course. But it says that managers are meant to evidence curiosity and patience in every interaction, and every meeting.
Second, it reminds leaders that the practice of listening is essential to our practice of the craft of leadership. Leadership is listening. It is nothing without it.
Those are the reminders that were inspired by the story in the news today.
(Shoutout to Julie Glassman who wrote “Leadership is Listening” — completely off the top of her amazing head, if I am not mistaken. You’re still the tops, Julie.)