Listening is one of the most underrated yet powerful leadership skills. It impacts team dynamics, decision-making, and relationships, yet most people listen to respond rather than to understand.
Have you ever felt frustrated when someone wasn’t really listening? Perhaps they were distracted, interrupted you mid-flow, or jumped in with a solution before you had finished speaking. When people don’t feel heard, trust breaks down, and they are less likely to share openly.
Leaders who develop strong listening skills build deeper connections, improve collaboration, and create environments where people feel safe, motivated, and empowered. Good listening also plays a key role in creating a culture where creativity and innovation can thrive – when people feel heard, they are more likely to share new ideas and think differently about challenges.
Listening for leaders – three ways to improve your listening skills
- Practice active listening
Active listening means giving your full attention to the person speaking – not just hearing their words but truly understanding what they are communicating. It requires being present, withholding judgment, and responding with empathy.
- Focus entirely on the speaker – put away your phone, close your laptop, and make some (but not too much!) eye contact.
- Notice non-verbal cues – body language, tone, and expressions often reveal more than words.
- Use small verbal and non-verbal responses to show engagement – nodding, saying ‘yes’ or ‘go on’ can encourage the speaker to continue.
- Control your mental distractions
Humans think faster than we speak, which means when we listen, our brains often fill the gaps with unrelated thoughts. We might plan our response, judge what’s being said, or let our minds wander about something else entirely. Familar?
- Set an intention before a conversation – take a moment to remind yourself to focus fully.
- If you notice your mind drifting, bring your attention back by mentally repeating key words as the speaker says them.
- Don’t interrupt – Give the speaker time to think and express themselves fully.
- Listen without jumping to solutions
One of the biggest mistakes leaders make is jumping in to give advice or fix problems before truly listening. People often don’t need solutions – they need to feel heard.
- Resist the urge to immediately offer suggestions. Instead, ask: ‘What are you’ your thoughts?’
- Don’t assume your experience is the same – avoid shifting the conversation to your own similar story, You might think you’re being helpful by showing empathy through sharing your similar experience, however if you do this, the person speaking is more likely to feel that you think your experience is more important than theirs which has the effect of feeling not listened to, disconnected or undervalued.
- Support the speaker in finding their own answers – this builds confidence and problem-solving skills.
Great listening isn’t about waiting for your turn to talk or jumping in with solutions. It’s about being fully present, showing empathy, and creating space for others to be heard.
By developing strong listening habits, you build trust, encourage open communication, and empower those around you. It’s also a key ingredient in creating a culture where creativity can thrive – when people feel truly listened to, they are more likely to share ideas and contribute fresh perspectives.
What’s one small change you can make today to become a better listener?
Curious to learn more? Listen in the the Quiet Leadership Revolution podcast for tips on listening – The art of listening for leaders.